London - British Foreign Secretary David Miliband Monday spoke of a "very dangerous and very dark moment" for the Middle East and said he feared the Israeli attacks on Gaza would fuel radicalism.

Expressing his "grave concern" over the situation, Miliband said the continuing loss of "innocent lives" was "unacceptable" and required an immediate ceasefire.

He had discussed the crisis with his counterparts in the region, Miliband said.

"There is a clear consensus, which we support, that everything should be done to protect the political space for those leaders committed to peaceful negotiations," said Miliband.

He warned that both sides in the Middle East conflict were going through a "very dangerous and very dark moment" to which the only solution was a comprehensive peace settlement between Israel and the Arab world. (dpa)