The pop star Shakira has expressed hope that the world "can act as a team" to educate future generations while at a conference in Jerusalem.

The Colombian musician, who launched an education charity in 1997, was speaking to some of the 1,700 guests at the third annual Presidential Conference. She said the Holy Land was the "perfect place to talk about how urgent it is to invest in education."

Israel's president has warned of the dangers of "foot-dragging" when it comes to peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Shimon Peres said he was concerned by the stalemate situation and feared that Israel would become a binational state.

Shimon Peres has described Palestinian plans to unilaterally declare statehood at the UN as "an illusion".

The Israeli President told the Associated Press that it could be possible to conclude an agreement with the Palestinians" before September. But even if that did not happen, he said such a move would be meaningless.

"It will remain on paper and it will raise false hopes," he said.

Two senior US envoys have flown to the Middle East in a bid to restart the stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Dennis Ross and David Hale have already met Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and are expected to meet President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan later this week.

Bob Geldof has called for the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to expand their minds in order to find a solution to the "rejectionism of now".

Tony Blair has said Israel and the Palestinians have "no alternative" other than a return to the peace process.

The Quartet's Middle East envoy said it was crucial to support the Palestinian economy in order to advance the possibilities of success in the process.