FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw has been lobbied again by Kent MP Julian Brazier in Parliament on even handed policy in the Middle East.

Mr Brazier, MP for Canterbury and Whitstable, believes the war in Iraq is inextricably linked to the peace process between Israel and Palestine and says the route to Baghdad should lie through Jerusalem.

He said afterwards that the country owed it to our troops in the Gulf to get the maximum diplomatic push on the Middle East peace process or everything they are fighting for could dissipate if the West creates more enemies by turning a blind eye to problems in Palestine and Kashmir.

It was the second time in a week Mr Brazier has raised the question of foreign policy on the Middle East in Parliament.

The MP told the Commons: "The Foreign Secretary knows of the solid support from the Conservative benches at this difficult time for the actions undertaken by the men and women of our armed forces. The real test of the operation will be whether moderation or fundamentalism ends up being strengthened in the region as a whole.

"The key test for moderate Arab and Islamic opinion will be whether we and the Americans deliver on the so-called Palestinian Road map."

Mr Brazier said Saddam Hussein was a destabilising threat to the whole world but war could not be looked at in isolation from the wider issue of peace in the Middle East region.

He stressed: "We have to support our forces. War is not an easy business. They deserve the full support of the community and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.

"The Government have now got to get on with fighting the diplomatic battles which they've not been doing a very good job of. We have got to show the Arab world we are willing to lean on Israel otherwise we are bringing up a whole new string of enemies."