Tony Blair and George Bush are set to use Yasser Arafat's death to revitalise the Middle East peace process.

However, the "work plan" will remain secret until it is agreed with the new Palestinian leadership, Downing Street revealed.

The prime minister will hold a joint press conference with President Bush at around 4.30pm following a private dinner between the two men last night and further talks with officials this morning.

Following the announcement of Arafat's death, Number 10 said the prime minister will support the new Palestinian leadership and re-establish "momentum" in the peace process now that the US presidential poll is out of the way.

"The important thing now is to move forward to implement the two state solution," the prime minister's official spokesman said.

"What we need to do is to support the new Palestinian leadership to establish themselves in the vacuum that will be left when the Israelis leave the Gaza Strip."