PM Olmert: I'm ready to meet Abbas

VIDEO - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Tony Blair on Saturday he was ready to meet the Palestinian president as the British prime minister began a visit to try to revive Middle East peace negotiations. But Olmert stressed that securing the release of a soldier captured by Gaza terrorists was top of the agenda ahead of any meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on a stalled peace Road Map. "I assured Prime Minister Blair that I am ready to work closely with Chairman of the Palestinian Authority Abbas to implement the road map," Olmert told a news conference side by side with Blair in Jerusalem. Blair said he believed it would be possible to make progress on the road map, which has been held up by the failure of both Israelis and Palestinians to meet commitments. "It is very important that we see what we can do to reenergize this process," Blair said. "It's very easy to be pessimistic, but I do believe that, with the right will, things can be done." Blair is set to meet with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni Sunday, as well as with Vice Premier Shimon Peres. No talks with Haniyeh Blair will also hold talks Sunday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. However, Blair will not meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas or other members of his government, which Britain and other Western countries do not recognize. Haniyeh blasted Blair and his government in a column published Saturday in the London-based Guardian newspaper, accusing him of having "one-sided" policies that hurt the Palestinians. Blair and Olmert. Mutual support (Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO) "At the heart of our region's problems is the Israeli occupation, which has brought about endless suffering and disasters. If you wish to do the right thing, Mr. Blair, then work for the end of occupation without further delay," Haniyeh wrote in the column. Although it is likely Olmert and Blair will discuss the conflict with the Palestinians, the Israeli leader sees no sway to restart peace talks with the Palestinians so long as Hamas is in power, Eisin said. If Hamas renounces violence, recognizes Israel and accepts past peace deals - demands backed by the international community - Israel will be able to hold talks with the Palestinian government, Eisin said. Hamas has so far rejected the demands. "If the new (Hamas) regime abides by the three conditions of the international community ... Israel will certainly agree to a resumption of negotiations," Eisin said. The talks between Blair and Olmert are overshadowed by both leaders' internal political crises. Blair surrendered Thursday to a fierce revolt in his Labor Party and pledged to step down within a year. Olmert has been fiercely criticized for his handling of the war in Lebanon and beleaguered by demands for an official state inquiry, which he has ruled out. Blair's spokesman in London said the trip is meant to help ease bitterness after the fighting in Lebanon and isn't meant to distract attention from the prime minister's problems back home.

PM Olmert: I'm ready to meet Abbas

(VIDEO) Israeli PM meets with British premier in Jerusalem Saturday evening; tells reporters following meeting he is willing to 'work closely' with PA president to advance progress on Road Map peace plan