UK's Blair hopes Olmert can advance peace process

AUCKLAND, Mar 29 (Reuters) British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today he hoped Israel's interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would form a government that could take forward a process of peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.

Blair said he had spoken to Olmert to congratulate him on his victory in the Israeli election.

''We don't yet know the full result, but obviously what we hope very much is that there emerges a government in Israel that is prepared to and able to take forward a process of peace and reconciliation,'' Blair told a news conference after talks in New Zealand with Prime Minister Helen Clark.

''I do believe still that a resolution of the Israel-Palestine issue is as important as anything else to bringing peace to the world,'' Blair said.

''I offered the prime minister my congratulations and hope very much that he can form a government that can make progress,'' Blair added.

Olmert earlier claimed victory in Israel's election, saying he would pursue a plan to give up parts of the West Bank and impose a border on the Palestinians if peacemaking stays frozen.

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