Hague meets Israeli Livni for talks

LONDON, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- UK Foreign Secretary William Hague Thursday held talks in Britain with former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni in the first test of new laws governing arrest warrants for war crimes.
Hague said the meeting underlined the "warmth and strength of our bilateral relations" as the pair discussed the importance of building support for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
Miss Livni was forced to cancel a visit to the UK in December 2009 after a British court issued a warrant for her arrest.
But an Act recently passed by Parliament introduced a new requirement aimed at preventing the courts being used for political purposes.
The change has paved the way for Miss Livni's visit, which was announced on Monday night at a Conservative Party conference fringe event.
Speaking after the meeting, the Foreign Secretary told reporters: "I was delighted to welcome Miss Livni to London at a critical moment for the Middle East.
"It was an appalling situation when political abuse of our legal procedures prevented people like Miss Livni from travelling legitimately to the UK.
We have dealt with this urgently as we promised to on coming to office.
"The UK will continue to honour our international obligations and make sure that people who have committed some of the most awful crimes - wherever in the world they took place - can be brought to justice in our courts".
He added: "Today's meeting showed the warmth and strength of our bilateral relations.
Israel is an important ally and we will continue to work together to face common threats such as the Iranian nuclear programme.
"We discussed the importance of building support for a two-state solution that leads to a lasting peace in the Middle East.
I made clear my desire to see Israel secure now and in the future, alongside a Palestinian state, and my belief that both Israelis and Palestinians should return to talks in line with the Quartet Statement." Speaking earlier at a Conservative Friends of Israel meeting, director Stuart Polak said Miss Livni always planned to come to the UK once there had been a change in the law to prevent her being arrested for political capital.
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill received royal assent a couple of weeks ago, meaning she is now able to visit the UK, he said.
The arrest warrant followed Miss Livni's role as foreign minister during Israel's three-week military campaign in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009, codenamed Operation Cast Lead.
The offensive led to the deaths of more than 1,000 Palestinians.

Hague meets Israeli Livni for talks