Mideast peace process 'could be forgotten'

Jenin, West Bank: French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Saturday he feared the world may forget the Middle East peace process while distracted by US elections, a government change in Israel and tension with Iran.

Kouchner met Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin and was due to later hold talks with President Mahmoud Abbas. Today he will meet Israeli officials.

"My concern is, and what I do not want to see, is that the change in the US administration, and the formation of a new government in Israel, as well as the preoccupation with Iran would push everybody to forget the peace process in the region," Kouchner said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is Israel's chief negotiator in talks with the Palestinians.

Palestinian and Israeli officials and Western diplomats have said it was most unlikely Israel and the Palestinians could meet the target date of the end of 2008 for a deal set by US President George W. Bush.