Jerusalem: US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have felt "troubled" by Israel's settlement policies in the Palestinian territories and subsequent long-term effect on the Middle East peace process, according to a media report.

During their meeting at Camp David (US) last weekend, which was primarily devoted to the possible war on Iraq, the two leaders also discussed Israeli-Palestinian issue and agreed that they were "troubled" with the settlement policies of the Jewish state, English daily 'Ha'aretz' reported.

Blair tried to convince Bush of the importance of international involvement in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urged for early publication of the American "road map" for a peace agreement between the two parties, the daily said, adding Blair contended that the plan should not be turned into a hostage to the domestic situation in Israel.

The US President rejected the proposal as Washington has accepted a request by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to postpone presentation of the "road map" until after a new government is formed in Israel, the report said.

Bush was reported to have contended that he was currently focused entirely on the Iraq situation.

Blair would host three international meets this month regarding the Israeli- Palestinian conflict beginning with February 17, when regional envoys from the Quartet (United States, United Nation, European Union and Russia) would meet in London, followed by a Palestinian reform "task force" session, and a donor country meeting.

The "roadmap" to peace addresses issues like violence against civilians committed by Palestinian extremist groups and the Israeli defence forces and Palestinian reforms.

PTI