Convoy is the real road map to peace

War-mongering politicians across the world who have used their country's superpower status and might to bully others into submitting to their demands will be watching the Viva Palestina convoy in disbelief tomorrow.

The mile-long convoy of 100 plus vehicles and 315 drivers and peace activists will drive through the border in what is supposed to be a low key event, but the significance of that small journey can not be over estimated.

Although there are still thousands of miles separating the convoy from its end game of delivering aid to Gaza, Saturday's border crossing is the one which will be recorded in the history books.

Morocco and Algeria agreed to put aside their differences to open their land border for the first time in 15 years for the sake of Palestine.

Palestine has often been described as the key which can open the door to Middle East peace, but tomorrow it will open a door in the Maghreb which has been tightly shut since 1994.

This wonderful gesture is something Condaleezza Rice failed to persuade the neighbouring countries to do - her last attempt before the departure of George W Bush was made in September.

But the peace mission and genuine humanitarian nature of the Viva Palestina convoy has melted the hearts of those on both sides of this vital land border which, when opened, will ease the passage of those carrying more than one million pounds of aid for Gaza. More