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Mid East envoy Blair sees chance of Gaza ceasefire
15 Jan 2009 20:46:02 GMT
Source: Reuters
PARIS, Jan 15 (Reuters) - International Middle East envoy Tony Blair said on Thursday there was a real prospect of a deal to halt fighting in Gaza soon, as diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire intensified.

Diplomatic sources said earlier Israeli leaders were studying terms for a truce with Hamas.

Blair told reporters after a meeting in Paris with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that the plan on the table was "credible" and could lead to a truce "soon".

The sources said the plan included a year-long, renewable ceasefire, the withdrawal of all Israel forces within 5 to 7 days, and the immediate opening of all Gaza border crossings, backed by international guarantees they would stay open. (Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by James Mackenzie)
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Ousama Hamdan, Palestinian Hamas group representative in Lebanon, speaks during a news conference in Beirut February 7, 2009. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (LEBANON) ...



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