LONDON, Oct 15: British Prime Minister Tony Blair gave strong support on Monday for the creation of a Palestinian state and called for urgent efforts to revive stalled Middle East peace talks.

Speaking after talks in London with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Blair said there was a “renewed sense of purpose and urgency to move things forward”.

But he denied shifting British policy to placate Arab and Islamic unease over US-led strikes against Afghanistan in response to last month’s attacks in New York and Washington.

“A viable Palestinian state, as part of a negotiated and agreed settlement, which guarantees peace and security for Israel is the objective,” Blair told a news conference.

“The end we desire...is a just peace in which Israelis and Palestinians live side by side, each in their own state, secure and able to prosper and develop,” he said.

“That is the only sensible outcome.”

Blair gave no details of plans to put the peace talks back on track, saying the first crucial step was to find a willingness on both sides for progress.

“There are ideas being worked on by the Americans and by others. It is possible to move the process forward but the will has got to be there,” he said.

ARAFAT CALLS FOR TALKS: Arafat, standing at Blair’s side in his Downing Street office, called on Sharon to resume talks immediately “so we can reach a comprehensive peace”.