Blair is accused of siding with Israel

THE international community's Middle East envoy, Tony Blair, said there was a "basis" for an immediate ceasefire if the supply of arms smuggled into the Gaza Strip from Egypt was halted.

Mr Blair was yesterday in Jerusalem for talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He said the situation in Gaza was "hell" and called on Hamas to work towards a ceasefire to end the "appalling suffering" in the Strip.

His remarks reflected growing international sentiment that any solution will have to stem the flow of arms to Hamas, something that is certain to require an international presence along Egypt's border with Gaza.

However, Palestinians criticised Mr Blair for, in their view, adopting Israel's approach to what is needed to end the crisis. "His priorities are wrong," said Walid Awad, a Fatah spokesman. "The priority now is to stop the Israeli aggression. We want to stop civilians from being killed."

He added that post-war arrangements would have to include an opening of Gaza's borders.