Germany to renew West Asia peace efforts-Merkel

BERLIN, Dec 9 (Reuters) Germany will use its presidency of the European Union next year to launch new efforts aimed at helping secure peace in the West asia German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a regular video podcast today.

''The political process ... must be revived,'' Merkel said.

''Germany will seize the initiative during the EU presidency.

Above all, we believe the West Asian Quartet should be revived and here, the European Union has an active role to play.'' Merkel was referring to the group of four international mediators -- the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia -- who launched the West Asia ''road map'' in 2003 which was intended to revive talks on a long-term peace.

US President George W Bush also acknowledged this week the need for concerted efforts to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after a report by former Secretary of State James Baker urged Washington to revive U S diplomatic efforts.

The German chancellor supported the findings of the so-called Baker Commission report.

''In particular I support a broad diplomatic initiative in which Iraq would also include its neighbouring states and would therefore be able to make a contribution towards stabilising the West Asian region,'' she said.

Merkel emphasised Israel's right to exist, the importance of a stable and independent Lebanon as well as the Palestinians' right to their own state. In order to secure these, the cooperation of Syria and Egypt would be required, Merkel said.

Merkel will host Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak tomorrow and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday in Berlin.

Reuters AB RN1838