London, May 18: Britain today denounced the suicide bombing in East Jerusalem earlier in the day in which eight people died but said it should not be allowed to derail the West Asia peace process. "I utterly condemn today's suicide bombing in Jerusalem -- a brutal and unjustifiable act -- and I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those killed and injured," foreign secretary Jack Straw said in a statement.

Eight people, including the bomber, died when a bus was attacked and at least 20 others were injured, four seriously. Another suicide bomber blew himself up nearby but caused no injuries.

"It appears that these attacks were deliberately timed by rejectionists to derail the peace process," the statement said. "Although it is extremely difficult, we hope that all parties will ensure that they do not succeed."

Last night two Israeli settlers died in a suicide attack in Hebron on the West Bank.

Bureau Report