PLO moderate Mr Mahmud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, could be in place as the new Palestinian prime minister as early as next week, British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair said this evening.
Meeting reporters at Downing Street, Mr Blair said he spoke by telephone with Abbas and Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat shortly after US President George W. Bush's pledge to publish a long-delayed road map for Middle East preace.
"They were hopeful that he (Abbas) might be able to take office as soon as next week," Mr Blair said.
Meanwhile the EU foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana has hailed a pledge by US President George W. Bush to publish a long-delayed "roadmap" for Middle East peace as soon as a Palestinian prime minister is appointed.
"I think it's good news, constructive and positive news," Mr Solana told reporters on the sidelines of an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Vouliagmeni, near Athens.
"The roadmap which is going to be released is the roadmap we approve," Mr Solana added.
Mr Solana also said the creation of the prime minister's post paved the way for new diplomatic initiatives to resolve the crisis. "After the PM has been appointed in the Palestinian Authority... (we) will be able to set in motion."
AFP