Blair says Mideast is 'urgent priority'

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Tony Blair sought consensus with President Bush on Thursday to make peace in the Middle East an urgent priority, exploring whether the death of Yasser Arafat offers new avenues for restarting Israeli-Palestinian talks.

The two leaders met over dinner at the White House in an informal start of two days of talks about the pending elections in Iraq, Iran's nuclear ambitions, trans-Atlantic relations and Mideast peace. Bush greeted Blair on the South Lawn with a hearty handshake and patted the smiling British leader on the back before ushering him inside.

Blair has publicly declared that he is seeking a renewed U.S. commitment to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The death of Palestinian leader Arafat on Thursday has created what many see as an opportunity for fresh efforts.

Briefing reporters during the flight to Washington, Blair's spokesman said the prime minister is expected to call on Bush to help shore up the Palestinian Authority. Palestinians need international help to improve security, bolster their economy and strengthen civil and political structures, he said.

Britain is concerned that Israel's proposed withdrawal from Gaza will create a destabilizing power vacuum if the Palestinians are not ready to assume control. "For the Gaza pullout to work, you have to have a Palestinian Authority that can deal with it," Blair's official spokesman said on customary condition of not being identified by name. "Unless you have a Palestinian Authority capable of dealing with the consequences of the Gaza pullout, then going beyond that is going to be difficult."

Blair is Bush's closest overseas ally and loyally supported and sent troops for the U.S.-led war in Iraq, in the face of widespread opposition in European capitals and at home. Their friendship is unpopular among lawmakers in the governing Labor Party and a vast section of the British public. Many believe the prime minister doggedly follows Bush's lead without exerting any real influence.

With British general elections expected next year, and Labor members still criticizing the war, Blair needs to prove that his close alliance with Bush bears fruit. Many British lawmakers expect Bush to reward Blair's loyalty with a renewed commitment to the Mideast peace process.

Before flying to Washington, Blair said Thursday that "the relationship between Britain and the U.S. is fantastically important."