Solana leads ME peace drive after Gaza pullout

The first evacuation of Jewish settlers from the occupied Palestinian territory, which was wrapped up last week, has raised hopes of a new chapter for the Middle East after five years of bloodshed.

But a suicide bombing in Israel on Sunday, apparently to avenge the killing of five Palestinian militants by Israeli troops last week, served as a sharp reminder of the scale of the task ahead.

Solana's tour coincides with the arrival of the head of the Egyptian intelligence services, Omar Suleiman, who is expected to urge militant groups to continue adhering to a truce agreement brokered in Cairo.

The top European diplomat on Monday continued a round of meetings with Israeli officials, including Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz and Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres.

He was later to meet Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in Gaza City and prime minister Ahmed Qorei on Tuesday.

The European Union, along with the United States, United Nations and Russia, is one of the sponsors of the roadmap which targets the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.

The blueprint has made next to no progress since it was endorsed by the Israelis and Palestinians in 2003 amid continuing violence, prompting Israel to come up with its unilateral plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.