Terrorism is blocking a deal on the Middle East road map, Tony Blair has warned.

The prime minister said on Thursday that the "wretched business" of terrorism was halting a deal between the Palestinians and Israel.

He rejected claims that the Middle East road map was "dead".

"I think that the road map isn't dead at all. It is still there," Blair told journalists at his monthly press conference.

"There is agreement on the two state solution. That's why it should be possible to find a way through. There is no other solution waiting out there."

But he warned the run of terrorist attacks and retaliations were the central obstacle.

A move forward would only come if Israel was satisfied enough was being done to fight terror groups and the Palestinians knew they would not lose any political gains they had made.

"Until we can get a real set of security plans in place as a bridge to the rest of the road map, it is very difficult to see how we can get progress," he admitted.

Blair said that while the Palestinian Authority would be unable to stop every suicide bombing, it would have to take a tougher stance against terrorism.

"It does mean there cannot be any looseness of commitment to stopping it," he said.

Blair said Britain was ready to help but he was cautious on what could be achieved.

"I have to be blunt about it. It requires people to want that help and it's got to be done strongly in conjunction with the United States."