Blair open to Palestinian govt recognising Israel

LONDON, Nov 6 (Reuters) Britain would be open to talks with a Palestinian unity government, including Hamas, as long as it recognises Israel's right to exist, Prime Minister Tony Blair said today.

Blair's comments came as President Mahmoud Abbas travelled to the Gaza strip for talks with Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on a government they hope can ease Western sanctions against the Hamas-led administration.

''We are prepared to talk to a national unity government even if they have Hamas members in it, provided it is a government that is in accordance with the 'Quartet' principles,'' Blair told a news conference.

One of the main conditions of the ''Quartet'' of Middle East peace brokers for renewing direct aid to Palestine is that Israel be recognised. Hamas advocates Israel's destruction.

''I don't want to dispute the mandate of Hamas, they won an election,'' said Blair.

''But if they want us to negotiate with them, you can't negotiate a two state solution -- Israel and Palestine -- if one part of the people you are negotiating with is saying that actually we don't want Israel to exist,'' he said.

A Palestinian government spokesman said Hamas had chosen a candidate to take over from Haniyeh, one of the Islamist group's leaders, once a deal with Abbas is finalised.

Blair is keen to give the West Asia peace process new momentum and repeated today that any drive would only be successful if all countries in the region were involved.

His foreign policy chief Nigel Sheinwald visited Syria last month for talks which diplomats and Syrian officials said marked a change in British policy towards Damascus.

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Fariz said on Monday during a visit to London that he welcomed Blair's push.

''Anything that leads to a process that is successful, that brings peace to the region, should be welcomed and should be encouraged,'' he told Reuters.

Asked about moves by the British administration to encourage Syria's participation, he said: ''Everybody in the region should be part of this process, provided people are committed to peace.'' Reuters PM RN2228