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Envoy Blair plans visit to Gaza Envoy Blair plans visit to Gaza
(about 12 hours later)
The international Middle East envoy, Tony Blair, is due to travel to Gaza in the coming week. The international Middle East envoy, Tony Blair, is due to travel to Gaza for the first time since the militant group Hamas took control in 2007.
It will be his first trip to the territory since the militant group Hamas took control in 2007. The United Nations says Mr Blair will discuss humanitarian work in the strip and visit a water treatment plant.
The United Nations says Mr Blair will discuss humanitarian work in Gaza and visit a water treatment plant.
He is not expected to meet any representatives from Hamas, which says it will make all the necessary security arrangements for his visit.He is not expected to meet any representatives from Hamas, which says it will make all the necessary security arrangements for his visit.
Highest-ranking official
The international community does not recognise the Hamas government in Gaza.The international community does not recognise the Hamas government in Gaza.
The European Union, the United States and Israel consider the group be a terrorist organisation. While in Gaza, Mr Blair will meet with the commissioner general of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, Karen Abu Zaid, and the body's local director, John Ging.
Highest-ranking official
The European Union, the United States and Israel consider Hamas to be a terrorist organisation.
Tony Blair will be the highest-ranking official to go to Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in June 2007 from Fatah forces loyal to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.Tony Blair will be the highest-ranking official to go to Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in June 2007 from Fatah forces loyal to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The former British prime minister was appointed as Middle East envoy in the same month by the Quartet - the US, the EU, the UN and Russia.The former British prime minister was appointed as Middle East envoy in the same month by the Quartet - the US, the EU, the UN and Russia.
Mr Blair was asked to focus on economic issues with the aim of bolstering the chances of a peace deal this year.Mr Blair was asked to focus on economic issues with the aim of bolstering the chances of a peace deal this year.