Papers review PM's Mid-East tour

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6188913.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Tony Blair's tour of the Middle East comes under scrutiny in the papers with most agreeing the prime minister is unlikely to make much progress.

The Financial Times describes the trip as his last roll of the dice.

The Guardian warns that neither Iraq nor the conflict between Israel and Palestine are close to resolution and Mr Blair may not bring it any closer.

The Daily Mail remarks on how tired Mr Blair looks in contrast with his optimism before a 2005 trip to Iraq.

'No fall guys'

The newspapers are also taking stock of the investigation into the "cash for honours" affair.

The Times reports that Downing Street is now being investigated for trying to hamper the inquiry.

The Daily Express says it detects a whiff of the downfall of Richard Nixon in what it calls Mr Blair's last days.

While the Guardian says it is ominous that Labour's chief fund-raiser, Lord Levy, and others may refuse to be the fall guys.

The Independent and the Times both highlight a report that two people have died from a strain of MRSA, which has never caused a hospital death before.

The Health Protection Agency investigated the outbreak, which killed a patient and a health care worker, at an unnamed West Midlands hospital.

The Independent says the strain could pose a serious threat if it becomes established.

Russian glory

Meanwhile pictures of men resembling Father Christmas are much in evidence.

The Daily Telegraph reports that in Moscow, 70,000 young people dressed in red and white cloaks as traditional Russian character Grandfather Frost.

The paper claims they were members of Nashi, a youth movement backed by the Kremlin, being urged to reinvent Russia's lost glory.

The Times reports on another Father Christmas lookalike on a trip to Disney World, Florida.

Officials told him to change his look or leave as he was confusing visitors.