London, 25 Aug-(ANA)-UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he is "more optimistic" about Middle East peace after talks with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.
After the Downing Street meeting, he stressed that Britain was a "true friend" of Israel.
But he stressed that it was necessary to remain "realistic" in efforts to secure lasting peace.
Mr Netanyahu said a demilitarised Palestinian state was needed if this is to be attained.
Mr Brown has repeatedly called for a freeze on Israeli settlement building, warning that the issue is an obstacle to peace in the Middle East.
During the Downing Street press conference, he said he "deplored" recent comments about the Israeli regime made by the Iranian government.
The UK and Israel shared the same concerns over the possibility of Iranian nuclear weapons, he added.
Mr Netanyahu is also due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell during his four-day tour of Europe. (ANA)