.png)
.png)
Middle East peace talks ‘at risk’
The Middle East peace process is in danger of falling victim to the revolutionary tide sweeping the Arab world, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has warned.
Speaking on an emergency tour of the region, Hague also urged Israel to tone down its "belligerent" language in the wake of the uprisings, which have spread from Tunisia to Egypt and beyond.
The intervention came as the situation in Egypt intensified, with thousands of protesters again on the streets of Cairo demanding President Hosni Mubarak's immediate departure.
In an interview with The London Times en route to Jordan, Hague said: "Amidst the opportunity for countries like Tunisia and Egypt, there is a legitimate fear that the Middle East peace process will lose further momentum and be put to one side, and will be a casualty of uncertainty in the region."
Hague responded to pronouncements by Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been urging his nation to prepare for "any outcome" and vowing to "reinforce the might of the state of Israel".
"This should not be a time for belligerent language," the Foreign Secretary said. "It's a time to inject greater urgency into the Middle East peace process."
Despite two weeks of steadfast pressure, Egyptian protesters have not achieved their goal of ousting Mubarak.
Yesterday, thousands of civilians - including about 5,000 university professors and teachers - packed Cairo's Tahrir Square to continue their demonstrations calling for the president's removal.
