LONDON, Dec 16: British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Monday he was inviting Palestinian leaders to London in the new year to discuss progress on reform and to look at how the international community could help.

Blair — who earlier in the day met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — told the House of Commons that representatives of the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States, together with countries from the Middle East region, would also be invited to attend the talks.

“It will discuss progress on reform and look at how the international community can help,” said Blair, who was reporting back to members of parliament on the outcome of last week’s EU summit in Copenhagen.

“It is in the interests of both the Palestinians and Israelis that these reform efforts succeed, so that we can make a reality of President (George W.) Bush’s vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security,” he said.

In occupied Al Quds, a Palestinian official said Yasser Arafat had accepted the invitation and would send a delegation to London.

“The British consular authorities in Jerusalem (Al Quds) delivered a letter from Mr Blair to president Arafat indicating he wishes to hold talks with a Palestinian delegation on the means to relaunch the peace process,” said chief negotiator Saeb Erakat.

“Mr Arafat has accepted this invitation and has to draw up the list of members of this delegation.”—AFP