Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The general feeling in the area is that the situation is extremely difficult but that there is a window of opportunity between now and at least the end of this year. I was in the region when the Quartet was meeting last Friday in Washington. It gave strong support to the efforts to have tripartite talks which President Abbas informed me are due to be held on 20 February when Condoleezza Rice travels back to the region. These tripartite talks will be held between President Abbas, Condoleezza Rice and President Olmert.

I understand from President Abbas he expects that a government of national unity would be put in place within days of my visit and they are meeting as we speak in Mecca and I am delighted with some of the soundings that have come out. They recognise the seriousness of the situation and they recognise that there needs to be a government of national unity. The manner in which the international community responds to this will be very important and this was the subject of the discussion I had with my colleagues not just in Palestine and in Israel but also in Egypt.

There is a general feeling and understanding that this situation in Palestine and Israel must be dealt with as it is the core reason for instability in that region. I pledged Ireland's support both on a bilateral basis and on an international basis through the EU and otherwise. We will support it from a humanitarian point of view and we will support the political process.

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