Blair hoping for G8 initiative on the Middle East

LONDON (AFP) — British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he hoped for a specific initiative on the Middle East from next week's G8 summit.

Blair, who will host the Group of Eight industrial powers' annual gathering, said the situation in the Middle East was "very fragile" but recent developments meant there was a chance of progress on the issue.

Israel is planning to withdraw all soldiers and settlers from the Gaza Strip in a controversial operation starting in August.

Radical settlers, vehemently opposed to the evacuation of all 8,000 Jewish residents of Gaza have caused violent disturbances recently.

"At the G8 next week, I hope, but I can't yet be sure, that there will be a specific initiative on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, and we're working on that at the moment," Blair said at a joint press conference with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at Britain's Foreign Office. ...