Peace formula

In talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provided more details of his "three-track approach" to Middle East peace. The Israeli prime minister is hoping to move the Israeli-Palestinian peace process forward with an approach that focuses on diplomatic, economic and security issues.

Netanyahu told Brown that a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognized Israel was "the pillar of peace."

"With the help of our friends in the US, Britain and elsewhere, we can achieve progress that will confound the cynics and surprise the world," said the Israeli leader in a press conference after the one-hour meeting with Brown.

"We hope to move forward in the next months and weeks," said Netanyahu.

Brown calls for end to West Bank construction

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the talks with his Israeli counterpart as "good," saying they left him "realistic, but more optimistic than ever." Brown also repeated earlier calls for Israel to stop settlement construction in the West Bank. The Palestinians have made this a key demand before they will resume peace talks.

Netanyahu said in London that he hoped to find a "bridging formula" that would enable residents already living in the West Bank to lead a "normal life."

The Israeli leader is expected to face pressure in all meetings during this week's tour to halt the construction of settlements in the West Bank. On Wednesday, Netanyahu is due to meet with George Mitchell, the Middle East envoy of US President Barack Obama. On Thursday, Netanyahu is due to have talks in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

While Netanyahu is in Berlin, German publisher Axel Springer is scheduled to give him the original blueprints of Auschwitz. Netanyahu will later present the drawings to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

wl/AFP/Reuters/dpa
Editor. Trinity Hartman