**Prime Minister Gordon Brown will hold talks later with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on the future of the Middle East peace process.**During a Downing Street meeting, Mr Brown is likely to push for a halt to the expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory.
These have continued to grow despite a moratorium agreed six years ago.
Mr Netanyahu is also due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell.
The Israeli leader is taking part in a four-day tour of Europe, having arrived in the UK on Monday.
Mr Brown has repeatedly called for a freeze on settlements, warning that the issue is an obstacle to peace in the Middle East.
The moratorium was one of the key elements of the 2003 “road map” agreement, aimed at securing peace.
Mr Netanyahu indicated on Sunday that stalled peace talks between his government and the Palestinians could resume in September.