London, Mar 14: Prime Minister Tony Blair today said a US peace plan for West Asia could create a viable, independent Palestinian state and end the endemic violence in the region. The British leader hailed President George W Bush's earlier announcement that he would unveil his "road map" to a peaceful solution between Israel and Palestinians. He said work on a settlement could begin as early as next week. Blair and Bush are to meet along with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar in the Azores on Sunday to discuss their stalled efforts to get United Nations backing for touch action against Iraq. Blair has been urging Washington to use its influence with Israel to secure a peace as a way of demonstrating that the West's intentions towards the region are positive and intended to build peace. Blair, who is Bush's chief ally against Iraq, will be helped at home by any US initiative on Israel. The prime minister's Labour party is deeply split over his support for war against Iraq.

Bureau Report