The prime minister has welcomed the long-awaited publication of the "road map" for peace in the Middle East.

Tony Blair said the publication represented the route to a "comprehensive settlement" that included "clear phases, timelines and benchmarks".

Under the plan, Palestinian terrorism would end and a new state be established by 2005 in return for Israel's handing back the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Israeli security forces have confirmed that two suicide bombers who attacked a bar in Tel Aviv earlier this week were travelling under British passports.

Asif Mohammed Hanif, 21, died when he detonated his explosives. His alleged accomplice, Omar Khan Sharif, 27, who was born in Derby, escaped after his bomb failed to go off.