That Mr Abbas now has a direct mandate from the Palestinian people should help him this time.

ECONOMIST: Abbas wins a popular mandate | The

But while Mr Sharon remains ready to wait for a new Palestinian leadership, Mr Peres's mandate to negotiate is limited.

ECONOMIST: Looking beyond Arafat | The

But Blair's mandate is very limited right now to trying to improve the Palestinian economy in the West Bank.

NPR: Arab Delegation Takes Peace Proposal to Israel