Tony Blair has justified the use of military force in Afghanistan and claims that the bomb strikes have put the international coalition against terrorism "on course" to achieve its goals.

Speaking to reporters in Downing Street on Thursday afternoon, the prime minister reiterated his defence of the Western coalition's bombing campaign and warned there were more military strikes to come.

And in an appeal aimed directly at the people of the Middle East, he pledged renewed action on a peace agreement with Israel that would see the creation of a Palestinian state.

With representatives of the Arabic media in attendance, Blair reiterated: "This is not and never has been a struggle between the west and the Arab world or the west and Islam."

He recognised the "deep sense of injustice among many Arabs about the situation in the Middle East" and said the assassination of Israel's tourism minister and the killing of a Palestinian child by Israeli forces "simply show the absolute need for restraint on all sides". Blair said this was the only way to drive out the extremists and ensure Palestinians and Israelis could live side by side in peace.

Pressed on the issue by journalists, Blair denied the September 11 attacks had been responsible for increasing western interest in the Palestinian cause. But he said there was a "renewed sense of urgency to push this process on".

He said the only possible outcome for the process was an Israel with its borders recognised and its safety assured, and a Palestinian state which would be free and just.

Turning to the military campaign, the prime minister said the bombing campaign had already destroyed much of the infrastructure of the Taliban regime and the Al Qaeda network.

"I believe that the next few weeks will be the most testing time but we are on track to achieve the goals we set out," he said, adding it was essential to stop any repeat of the terrorist attacks of September 11."

He hinted the would be more action to follow, with the possible use of ground troops.

"There will be further action that we are considering taking, again targeted," he said. He would not be drawn on the specifics of whether ground troops would be used, but added: "I don't think we have ever contemplated this being done by air power alone."

"We are also working as hard as we possibly can on the humanitarian side of this," he pledged. He attacked the Taliban for failing to cooperate on the delivery of aid to refugees, accusing them of seizing UN materials and leaving aid workers fearing for their safety.

He also urged the media and the public to treat Afghanistan's figures on civilian casualties with caution. He said their reports were "not independently verified" and pointed to claims that an entire village had been destroyed by US bombs. This had turned out to be the destruction of Taliban and Al Qaeda infrastructure, Blair claimed.

The prime minister said the international coalition remained strong, arguing that governments around the world "do understand the need for action to be taken".

He said a post-Taliban regime would have to be broad-based and include representatives of all ethnic groups. Britain would help in the process of reconstruction, he pledged.