The former president wants peace in his lifetime

But Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat must be excluded from negotiations if this is to become a reality, Mr Carter said on the 25th anniversary of the Camp David Accords.

As US president, Mr Carter brokered the 1978 deal between then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

The former president told a conference marking the anniversary that a full acceptance of Israel's right to live in peace must be recognised and the removal of "a sizeable portion" of Israeli settlements on the West Bank and Gaza must take place for peace plans to work.

On this day in 1978 Arab-Israeli breakthrough in US

"I don't see them as impossible to resolve, I believe we can still see peace in the Middle East in my lifetime," Mr Carter, 77, said.

"But the time is past for Arafat to become involved in negotiations," he added.

Trouble-shooter

Mr Carter said the process would require "strong leadership, determined mediation that's trusted, a balanced role between Israel and the Palestinians and good faith".

Other issues include the right of return for Palestinian refugees and the security fence being built by Israel to separate itself from Palestinian-held territories, he said.

The Israeli Government has said it wants Mr Arafat "removed" - inviting widespread condemnation.

It would be impossible today for president Bush to go in immersion at Camp David with Israelis and Palestinians for 13 days Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter brokered the Camp David Accords during his presidency and is largely credited with their relative success at the time.

In September 1978, he spent 13 days at the presidential mountain retreat in Maryland with the Egyptian and Israeli leaders.

When they emerged from talks, a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt was announced, representing Israel's first with an Arab neighbour.