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British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (R) accompanied by his wife Sarah (C) and Avner Shalev (L), chairman of Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, look at photographs of Jews who perished at the hands of the Nazis during the Second World War as they tour the 'Hall of Names' at the Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, on July 20, 2008.
Photo: AFP Copyright 2008
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JERUSALEM (AFP)---British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met Israeli leaders Sunday on his first visit to Jerusalem since becoming premier in a bid to bolster peace negotiations and economic development.
The visit, which will also take him to the West Bank, is aimed at revitalising sluggish Middle East peace talks and pressing his "economic roadmap" to peace, which is based on improving the Palestinian economy.
He has also been invited to address the Israeli parliament on Monday -- the first time a British premier will make a speech at the Knesset.
On Sunday, Brown visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial where he laid a wreath at the eternal flame in the Hall of Remembrance, which honours the six million Jews killed in the Nazi Holocaust.
"Nothing prepares one for the story that is told here -- of the atrocities that should never have happened, and the truth that everyone who loves humanity should know," Brown wrote in the official guestbook after touring the museum.
He then met Israeli President Shimon Peres and is due to told talks later with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Brown was also planning to meet Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday "to discuss the way forward on the peace process and economic reconstruction and development," the premier's spokesman Michael Ellam told reporters.
Brown will also meet senior Israeli ministers and opposition figures during his trip, which follows a surprise trip on Saturday to Baghdad and the southern Iraqi city of Basra.
Brown -- who spent 10 years as finance minister under Tony Blair, whom he succeeded as premier in June 2007 -- is keen to discuss boosting growth in the Palestinian territories and financial incentives for stamping out militants.
Last September, he set out an "economic roadmap" for peace in the Middle East, in which he said it was his "strong personal belief" that kick-starting growth in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip was crucial to establishing peace.
"By giving ordinary Palestinians an economic stake in their future, we support the forces of peace and moderation," he said.
The report identified five building blocks: reducing public expenditure, a more stable relationship between the Palestinian and Israeli economies, a balance between short-term security and movement and access, diversification of trade links, and an enhanced investment climate.
Britain has already pledged to provide almost 500 million dollars (315 million euros) to help build the Palestinian economy and Brown may pledge more during his trip.
Abbas, who held talks with Brown in London last December, praised Britain's funding pledge, saying the British premier played a "pivotal role in the region" and his personal involvement was a "source of power" for Palestinians.
Brown's predecessor Blair is now the Middle East Quartet's envoy, representing the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States in efforts to advance peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
The two -- whose relationship soured over the years -- will not meet during the visit.
Brown reiterated last month that he saw the lack of a peace deal providing Israel with security and the Palestinians with a viable state as the main obstacle to stability in the wider Middle East.
