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Rice criticises Arab states ahead of London talks

02/05/2008

The US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has claimed Arab states could be doing more to help in the Middle East peace process.

Dr Rice made the comments ahead of a meeting of the Mideast Quartet involving the US, United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and Russia in London today aimed at tackling the current crisis facing Palestinians.

The Gaza region is currently suffering from a crippling lack of food and basic supplies due to the Israeli blockade imposed against the militant group Hamas.

Dr Rice told reporters while en-route to London that Arab "states that have resources ought to be looking not for how little they can do but how much they can do".

"Countries that have resources and that have an interest in the establishment of a Palestinian state need to put those resources at use now in order to lay the groundwork for the establishment of that state," she said.

US officials point to the fact that of the $717 million (£361 million) promised by the Arab League to the region, only $153 million (£77 million) has been delivered.

US president George Bush claimed on Tuesday that he was "still hopeful we will get an agreement by the end of my presidency".

He is due to visit Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt from May 13th to 18th.