http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=595111
Ariel Sharon announced yesterday that Israel would not attend the Middle East conference Mr Blair plans to host in London after next month’s Palestinian presidential election. The conference is due to discuss how the Palestinian Authority can meet its obligations under the internationally backed road map to peace.
As Mr Blair prepared for a flying visit to Jerusalem and Ramallah, British diplomats received the news of Mr Sharon’s announcement with equanimity. It was seen as a logical outcome of preliminary talks last week between Israeli leaders and Sir Nigel Sheinwald, the Prime Minister’s senior foreign affairs adviser.