William Hague says there is a “legitimate fear” that peace talks will lose momentum.

Hague told The Times newspaper in an interview published Wednesday that there are concerns uncertainty following the popular uprising in Tunisia and anti-government protests in Egypt will complicate the Middle East peace process.

He also urged Israel to tone down the use of “belligerent” language, saying recent events in the region lend greater urgency to peace talks.

Hague’s comments came after he visited Tunisia and Jordan as part of a three-day, five country tour of the Middle East and northern Africa.