Quartet Representative Tony Blair visited the West Bank city of Nablus today to see the progress the Palestinians have made in improving their security capability.

Mr Blair met with the Governor of Nablus, Dr Jamal Muheisein, before meeting with representatives of the local security services and business community. He also went on a tour of the Old City and visited a local soap factory, to highlight the business potential in Nablus.

Tony Blair said the Palestinians in Nablus have "improved significantly their security capability" noting that it would have been harder for him to visit the city at the time of his appointment last June.

"I think it is important to recognise that what has happened here in Nablus over these past few months is, of course, precisely what phase one of the 'road map' asks for," Mr Blair said during a press conference with the Governor.

Tony Blair said that, consistent with their own security concerns, the Israelis should "bit by bit" lift the restrictions on Palestinian movement, as they improved their own security capability, so that business in the West Bank could continue to grow.

You can read The Independent's take on the visit HERE