LONDON, Dec 16 (NNN-KUNA) -- The British government is "urgently" considering reforms to the legal system after a British court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli politician Tzipi Livni.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Tuesday it was important that senior figures from Israel could visit Britain and have a "proper dialogue."

The warrant of arrest against Livni was apparently granted by a London court over last weekend at the request of Palestinian plaintiffs.

It was revoked Monday when it emerged the former foreign minister was not due to visit Britain after all.

Livni has claimed the court was "abused" by individuals who wanted to see her put on trial over last year's assault on Gaza. The hard-line Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has branded the legal action "absurd".

In a statement, Miliband said he was keen to "avoid this sort of situation arising again."

"Israel is a strategic partner and a close friend of the UK," he said.

"We are determined to protect and develop these ties. Israeli leaders -- like leaders from other countries -- must be able to visit and have a proper dialogue with the British government.

"The procedure by which arrest warrants can be sought and issued without any prior knowledge or advice by a prosecutor is an unusual feature of the system in England and Wales.

"The government is looking urgently at ways in which the UK system might be changed in order to avoid this sort of situation arising again," he added.

-- NNN-KUNA