Tony Blair will tomorrow host 30 foreign delegations at a summit in London designed to assist Middle East peace efforts.

Coming a few days after a suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv by a Palestinian militant which left four Israelis dead, the prime minister wants to use the event to help the new government of Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader.

Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, will also be present.

Salam Fayyad, the Palestinian finance minister, said: "The meeting provides us with a very good opportunity to seek and secure the international support that we need... [for[ boosting the political process and improving life conditions and helping us strengthen our institutions."

Interviewed in the Independent, Abbas says: "We believe peace is possible now and we are ready to negotiate with Israel to reach a true and lasting peace based on justice and international legitimacy."