Assessing Brown's Mid-East trip

Analysis
By James Landale
Chief political correspondent, BBC News Channel in Jerusalem

Mr Brown's speech was the first by a UK premier to the Israeli Parliament

For three days, Gordon Brown has roamed the Middle East on a trip designed by an official with a penchant for alliteration - taking in Baghdad, Basra and Bethlehem.

But as he returns home, just what has he achieved?

In Iraq, he was clearly pleased by what he was told by the military, namely that some progress is being made in the training of Iraqi troops, but equally the job is not yet done.

For the question remains: how much more progress is needed before British troops come home?

All eyes now are on the prime minister's statement to MPs on Tuesday.

Ruffled feathers

My understanding is that he will not sort out a timetable for withdrawing, but he might give us a much clearer steer on what his current thinking is.

On the Middle East, it has been very much the visit of a man coming here for the first time as prime minister, familiarising himself with the players and the issues as much as trying to influence.

BROWN'S TRIP BY NUMBERS Eight - flights taken Four destinations - Iraq, Kuwait, Israel and the Palestinian Authority Three presidents and three prime ministers met Three speeches given One news conference held Brown issues Iran warning In pictures: Brown in Iraq

Mr Brown's focus has been that of a former chancellor, arguing that a strong Palestinian economy is the "economic roadmap" to peace.

More cash for the Palestinians and a low-key call for an end to terrorism has won him friends in Bethlehem and Ramallah.

As for the Israelis, Mr Brown has ruffled a few feathers by calling loudly for an end to building new settlements and for calling for the lifting of travel restrictions in the West Bank.

The Jerusalem Post newspaper said this was "counterproductive" and "unhelpful" and one member of the Israeli parliament appeared to walk out of his speech in protest at this.

But the prime minister will have comforted other Israelis with his strong condemnation of Iran's call for Israel to be wiped off the map, something he described as "totally abhorrent".

Equally welcome here was the threat of further sanctions if Iran does not end its nuclear enrichment programme.