The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, meets Tony Blair in London today as violence in Iraq reaches a new crescendo and senior Iraqi officials say the break up of the country is inevitable.

The British Foreign Office ministe Kim Howells yesterday stood by his criticisms of the 12-day bombardment of Lebanon with a warning that Israel had to win the “political battle” as well as confronting Hizbollah militarily.

“Thank you for your courage and steadfastness,” Rice said upon meeting Siniora, according to The Associated Press.

Rice spoke with reporters en route to the Middle East, where she’s expected to meet with Israeli and Lebanese officials Monday.

The crash was an accident not a shootdown, according to an Israel Defense Forces spokesman.

He also said Israel should “pack up” and move elsewhere, repeating comments made last year.

Ms Rice, speaking en route to Israel, said there must be no place for “terrorist groups” like Hezbollah to launch attacks from Lebanese territory.

But, just six years on, Israelis stand almost unanimously behind the decision to wage a new war across the country’s northern border.

Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, James Baker, Madeleine Albright and others found themselves dragged into the business of trying to bring peace to the Middle East.

Rice spoke with reporters en route to the Middle East, where she is scheduled to meet with Israeli officials Monday evening.