THE time is ripe to repair the damage done in the break up of the Ottoman Empire after the Great War.

What is needed is a comprehensive peace conference to cover the whole of the Middle East to re-plan the borders so that they reflect the natural and tribal boundaries.

May I suggest that Hammerfest in Norway be the venue, on one of the Hurtigruten ships such as MS Richard With.

This city suffered grievously in the Second World War and is an example of how recovery is possible. This gives people hope it will take time.

Shipping containers that are surplus to current requirements could be used to provide temporary infrastructure such as, hospitals, children’s clinics and administration complexes.

The conversion to specialist facilities could be done in the UK.

The refugees now resident in Europe should be interviewed to ascertain how they could be trained to help with reconstruction.

The involvement of the major powers be that of providing technical and material assistance and not in the political debate.

This must be only the countries of the Middle East.

John Peak, Seaton Carew