The German foreign minister Joschka Fischer has described the situation in the Middle East as "terrible" and has called for renewed political talks to tackle the 20-month crisis.
Speaking after a meeting in Palestine with Yasser Arafat, Fischer said: "The situation is terrible, we see the suffering of the people, we hear the moaning of the families of the innocent victims on both sides.
"This situation must be changed. Diplomacy, negotiations and peace must have the upper hand," he said.
"We have to open the door back to the negotiating table and a real peace between Israel and the Palestinians,'' said Fischer, who earlier held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Arafat said Fischler’s visit was "very important and was a very good opportunity to discuss with him about all issues and in detail, to reach a real peace in the Middle East and to return back to negotiating table."
He said he had discussed the need for reforms in his administration, which Israel has set as a precondition for any talks.
"The peace is not necessary only for us or the Israelis, but for the whole region and whole world," he said. Fischer said he backed the three-track approach forwarded by US Middle East envoy William Burns, who spoke with Arafat earlier today.
The US programme aims to strengthen and reform Palestinian institutions to the point where they can take over state functions and bring about a political process that establishes a Palestinian state.
AFP