Blair and Annan in Mid-East talks

Mr Blair and Mr Annan will discuss the Middle East crisis

Prime Minister Tony Blair will have talks with UN secretary Kofi Annan at the G8 summit in Russia to discuss the crisis in the Middle East.

It follows a statement from G8 nation leaders, issued after hours of difficult negotiations, calling for and end to the violence.

Mr Blair - who says goals set on Africa at last year's Gleneagles summit will be met - will leave for the UK later.

Leaders of the world's top economic powers are meeting in St Petersburg.

More than 120 Lebanese have died since clashes with Israel began on Wednesday and 12 Israeli civilians have been killed from Hezbollah rockets.

Releases urged

Mr Blair's meeting with Mr Annan follows the G8 statement blaming extremist forces for the latest Middle East crisis but calling on Israel to stop military operations.

It also urges the release of three captured Israeli soldiers and calls on militants to stop shelling Israeli territory.

And Israel is urged to withdraw its forces from Gaza and to release arrested Palestinian politicians.

Downing Street said the statement's aim was to call on Syria and Iran to help in calming the crisis.

Evacuation ships near Beirut G8 blames extremists

It also gave the message that Israel should show restraint in exercising its right to self defence.

Earlier, after talks with US President George Bush, Mr Blair had said the G8 leaders must "work very hard to find a common and unified position".

Mr Blair will join other leaders later on Monday for talks with delegates from emerging economies including India, China, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil.

Meanwhile, the first Royal Navy warships have arrived in the Middle East to evacuate British citizens stranded in Lebanon.

But the Foreign Office has said an operation to rescue up to 10,000 Britons will not start until the blockade on Beirut is lifted, possibly in days.

HMS Illustrious and HMS Bulwark are expected to arrive by Wednesday.