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Arafat 'against all terrorism'

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has again condemned last month's attacks on the United States, saying chief suspect Osama bin Laden was wrong to have carried them out in the name of Palestinians.

"Islam as a religion forbids anyone to harm any civilians, any innocent people, around the world," Arafat told reporters after talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London.

"We are against all forms of terrorism, including state-sponsored terrorism," Arafat said.

Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush have been trying to stress that their campaign is not aimed at Islam itself.

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And CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour said Arafat's condemnation of bin Laden was an important political boost for the international coalition lined up against his al Qaeda organisation ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to Pakistan.

At a joint news conference at Blair's official residence, 10 Downing Street, Arafat called on the Israeli government to join the Palestinians in the talks "so that we can reach a just and lasting solution to all issues on the agenda, that's an agreed agenda."

"We are not asking for the moon. We are asking for the United Nations resolutions to be implemented," Arafat said.

Blair backed Arafat's call for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The prime minister said: "A viable Palestinian state as part of a negotiated and agreed settlement which gurantees peace and security for Israel was the objective" of the Middle East peace process.

"The end we desire, therefore, is a just peace in which Israelis and Palestinians live side by side each in their own state, secure and able to prosper and develop.

"That is the only sensible outcome and we must seize this moment to make progress towards that end, otherwise more bloodshed and violence will drive out the overwhelming desire for peace in the region and the wider world.

"To that end it is now time for all U.N. Security Council resolutions to be implemented."

Blair's comments echo those earlier this month of Bush who said a Palestinian state was always "part of a vision" if Israel's right to exist is respected.

Arafat and Blair spent almost 90 minutes in talks at Downing Street. Blair said: "We have had a very good discussion focusing on the Middle East peace process and the international situation since the dreadful events of September 11.

"On the Middle East peace process we are in complete agreement that now is the right time to reinvigorate this process.

"We both recognise that this is a time to act with new resolve. Too many innocent Palestinians and innocent Israelis have died in recent weeks and months, indeed years.

"We have a chance now, today and in the weeks and months to come, to put right the injustices that have for too long blighted our world and the Middle East in particular.

"It is vital for both sides, especially when faced with provocation from extremists, to hold fast and to maintain a 100 percent effort to eradicate the violence that kills not only innocent people, but the hopes of, and aspirations of, the vast majority of ordinary people.

"But the international community must also be clear about the goal -- to end the suffering of the Palestinians living in poverty and without hope and to give them the peace and justice they need, and at the same time for Israelis to feel confident in their own security, and free from terrorism in all its forms."