RAMALLAH, Sept 7: Hundreds of Palestinians, including politicians and intellectuals, told British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday they did not want him to visit Palestinian areas, accusing him of excessive support for Israel.

Mr Blair will meet Palestinian officials in Ramallah on Sunday during a visit to the region, an aide to President Mahmoud Abbas said. Mr Blair is expected to also hold talks in Israel and Lebanon, though there has been no confirmation from his office.

The prime minister came under fire at home during Israel’s 34-day war with Hezbollah for lining up with the United States in refusing to back Lebanon’s demands for an immediate truce.

“He is coming here in order to wash his hands that are dripping with Lebanese blood, with Palestinian water,” the group of Palestinians wrote in an ad placed in the Al-Ayyam newspaper.

“We, the signatories... notables, intellectuals and political figures declare that Tony Blair is persona non grata in our country.”—Reuters