Shimon Peres inaugurated as Israel's 9th president

The inauguration of veteran Israeli statesman Shimon Peres as Israel's 9th president is the main item of Israel-related coverage in the UK media today. In other news, the Times, the Financial Times, the Scotsman and the Independent, note Israel's offer of an amnesty to a list of wanted Palestinian militants, on condition that they abandon their involvement in terror. Reuters notes that Israel is inclining toward granting the request of Nayef Hawatmeh, leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, to visit the West Bank. The Daily Telegraph quotes claims that Israel is breaking international law by closing the Karni crossing in the wake of the recent Hamas coup. The paper also reports on the entry of Lebanese troops into the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon. The Guardian has a piece noting the possibility of US military action over the Iranian nuclear programme.

Over the weekend, Reuters on Sunday noted that Israel was ceasing its pursuit of a number of wanted Fatah militants, and will offer them amnesty if they cease their involvement in terror. The Sunday Times predicted a new push for Mid-east peace headed by Tony Blair and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The Independent on Sunday and the Financial Times on Saturday also ran pieces on Tony Blair's new post as Mid-East envoy. In other news, Reuters, the Glasgow Herald on Sunday, and the Sunday Times reported on the ongoing battle between the Lebanese army and Islamic gunmen at the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in Lebanon. The Observer ran an article on the foreign policy stances of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and those close to him. The Daily Telegraph on Saturday profiled new foreign office minister Mark Malloch Brown. The Sunday Telegraph criticised Israel for incarcerating Sudanese refugees who smuggle the Israel-Egypt border. BBC Online on Saturday, meanwhile, had a piece on Shimon Peres's taking up of the Presidency in Israel.

In the Israeli media today, all papers report on PM Olmert's scheduled meeting with PA Chairman Abbas in Jerusalem today, and the amnesty offered to approximately 180 Fatah members. The papers also report on the inauguration of Shimon Peres as Israel's 9^th president. The Jerusalem Post and Ynetnews note expectations that Shimon Peres will seek involvement in the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians. Haaretz notes a statement by Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad that goodwill gestures must be accompanied by substantive diplomatic negotiations. The paper, along with Ynetnews, also notes that President George W.  Bush is due to reaffirm his commitment to a peace process based on a two-state solution in the coming days. The Jerusalem Post reports on a series of rallies for the kidnapped IDF soldiers, which are due to take place today. Maariv reports that the PA has received a large weapons consignment from Jordan, and notes that PM Olmert is expected to encourage PA Chairman Abbas to confront Hamas.

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