The prime minister is said to be planning a visit to the Middle East before Christmas in a bid to encourage momentum in the peace process.

Tony Blair is eager to seize what he believes is the best chance for years to revive meaningful Israeli/Palestinian talks.

On Tuesday the Israeli foreign minister, Silvan Shalom, revealed details of Blair's proposed trip during an army radio interview.

An annoyed Number 10 said it was up to the British government to announce any visit.

A Downing Street spokesman told ePolitix.com: "We are unable to confirm the prime minister's travel arrangements in advance for security reasons."

If it goes ahead the trip will follow foreign secretary Jack Straw, who arrived in Israel on Wednesday for talks with senior ministers.

On Thursday Straw will visit the current Palestinian leaders Mahmoud Abbas and Ahmed Qureia in the West Bank.

He will also lay a wreath at the tomb of Yasser Arafat in Ramallah.

Election

Following his talks on Wednesday, Straw praised the Israeli prime minister's "efforts to facilitate the smooth running of the Palestinian presidential elections in Gaza the West Bank and East Jerusalem".

And he reiterated Britain's commitment to providing practical support to the elections and the peace process.

"We have made clear that the UK as a key member of the European Union and of the security council will do whatever we can to support the peaceful withdrawal from Gaza and support the Palestinians in that new situation and with their elections," he said.

The Israeli foreign secretary said he was co-operating with the Palestinians to enable all Palestinians to get to the polls during the presidential elections.

Silvan Shalom also said that if Britain wanted to send electoral observers it would be "no problem" for the Israeli government and they were "more than welcome".

Front-runner

Mahmoud Abbas is the front-runner to win the Palestinian presidential election on January 9, and Western leaders are eager to persuade any future leaders to take a more conciliatory approach to Israel than Arafat.

In the wake of Arafat's death a string of high level visitors to the region - including US secretary of state Colin Powell and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov - have urged progress.

Lat month Blair secured a promise from George Bush to pressure Israel to do more to secure peace.

However Colin Powell's resignation is thought to be connected with his frustration at the administration's failure to tackle Israeli intransigence.

Blair wants to use Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as a first step towards a permanent two state solution.

Reports suggest Blair would fly to Israel on December 21 and combine the visit with a trip to the West Bank.

It is believed the prime minister would offer practical help to the Palestinians in the form of helping them professionalize their security services to ensure stability after Israeli withdrawal.