London - International aid agencies have accused the so-called Middle East Quartet - representing the US, Russia, the United Nations (EU) and the European Union (EU) - of having "lost its grip" on the Middle East peace process.

A document published on the eve of talks between Quartet members at the UN in New York calls on the grouping to take "decisive action" and to "radically revise its existing approach" in order to avoid a further deterioration of the situation.

The aid groups also criticize the Quartet's special envoy, former British prime minister Tony Blair, for "not making sufficient progress in improving the lives of Palestinians."

"Today's study shows that the Quartet has fundamentally failed to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground," said David Mepham, policy director of the Save the Children charity in Britain.

The report was compiled by a coalition of 21 aid agencies and human rights organizations, including Oxfam International, Save the Children, CARE International, Christian Aid, World Vision Jerusalem and Medico International.

It warned that conditions the Quartet had pledged to improve at last year conference in Annapolis, Maryland, had "remained unchanged or have deteriorated."

The Quartet had "failed to hold the Israeli authorities to account" for the continued expansion of illegal settlements, said the document, as an acceleration of expansion was taking a "drastic toll on Palestinian daily life."

The Quartet had also had a "negligible impact" in its stated goal of improving Palestinians' ability to move freely in their own territory.

The number of restrictions had risen to 600 from 561 over the past year.

In Gaza, where 80 per cent of the population remained wholly or partially dependent on aid, relief projects had not been resumed.

"Despite the cessation of violence in Gaza, the Quartet has been unable to lift the blockade or secure a significant improvement in the humanitarian situation," said the report.

"Unless the Quartet's words are matched by more sustained pressure and decisive action, the situation will deteriorate still further. Time is fast running out. The Quartet needs to radically revise its existing approach and show the people of the region that it can help make a difference," urged Mepham.

Daleep Mukarji, director of Christian Aid, said: "The Annapolis process was meant to herald a new dawn for the Middle East peace process. Nearly one year on, we are seeing exponential settlement growth, additional check-points and - because of this - further economic stagnation.

"The Quartet is losing its grip on the Middle East peace process," he said. dpa( )