Israel's Opposition leader has met the Foreign Secretary in London.

Tzipi Livni, in Britain for the first time since an anti-Israel group used the old universal jurisdiction legislation to apply for a war crimes arrest warrant for her, was at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office this morning for the meeting.

Last month the law was reformed making it safe for Ms Livni and other high-ranking Israelis to travel to Britain.

Ms Livni and Mr Hague discussed relations between Britain and Israel and spoke about the current situation in the Middle East and the importance of building support for a two state solution.

The Foreign Secretary said he was delighted to welcome the Kadima Party leader to London.

"It was an appalling situation when political abuse of our legal procedures prevented people like [her] from travelling legitimately to the UK," he said. "Today's meeting showed the warmth and strength of our bilateral relations."

He said Israel was an "important ally" for Britain.

"We will continue to work together to face common threats such as the Iranian nuclear programme. I made clear my desire to see Israel secure now and in the future, alongside a Palestinian state, and my belief that both Israelis and Palestinians should return to talks in line with the Quartet Statement."