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| Blair warns of 'global struggle' | Blair warns of 'global struggle' |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The world has to "wake up" to the monumental struggle between the forces of moderation and of extremism, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said. | |
| At the end of his Middle East tour, he said the ideological battle is the challenge of the 21st Century. | |
| He called on Middle Eastern states to form an "alliance of moderation" to take on the "strategic threat" of Iran. | |
| And, in the speech in Dubai, he said the solution will come from within the region, but be felt worldwide. | |
| Mr Blair has been on a tour of the Middle East hoping to make progress on the peace process and to promote his vision of an alliance of moderates to counter extremism. | Mr Blair has been on a tour of the Middle East hoping to make progress on the peace process and to promote his vision of an alliance of moderates to counter extremism. |
| We have to wake up. These forces of extremism based on a warped and wrong-headed interpretation of Islam aren't fighting a conventional war, but they are fighting one against us Tony Blair | We have to wake up. These forces of extremism based on a warped and wrong-headed interpretation of Islam aren't fighting a conventional war, but they are fighting one against us Tony Blair |
| In a speech to British and UAE businessmen, following visits to Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, the West Bank and Israel he said extremism is based on a "warped version of Islam". | |
| "We have to wake up. These forces of extremism based on a warped and wrong-headed interpretation of Islam aren't fighting a conventional war, but they are fighting one against us. | "We have to wake up. These forces of extremism based on a warped and wrong-headed interpretation of Islam aren't fighting a conventional war, but they are fighting one against us. |
| "And 'us' is not just the West, still less simply America and its allies. 'Us' is all those who believe in tolerance, respect for others and liberty. | "And 'us' is not just the West, still less simply America and its allies. 'Us' is all those who believe in tolerance, respect for others and liberty. |
| "We must mobilise our alliance of moderation in this region and outside it to defeat the extremists." | "We must mobilise our alliance of moderation in this region and outside it to defeat the extremists." |
| Iran 'threat' | Iran 'threat' |
| Mr Blair, who is due to step down as prime minister next year, last month said a new partnership was possible with Iran and Syria, if they were prepared to play a constructive role in the Middle East. | Mr Blair, who is due to step down as prime minister next year, last month said a new partnership was possible with Iran and Syria, if they were prepared to play a constructive role in the Middle East. |
| But he warned: "We must recognise the strategic threat the government of Iran poses. | |
| "They seek to pin us back in Lebanon, in Iraq and in Palestine. Our response should be to expose what they are doing, build the alliances to prevent it and pin them back across the whole of the region." | "They seek to pin us back in Lebanon, in Iraq and in Palestine. Our response should be to expose what they are doing, build the alliances to prevent it and pin them back across the whole of the region." |
| Mr Blair has been on a tour of the Middle East | Mr Blair has been on a tour of the Middle East |
| He said achieving this would need the support of moderate Middle Eastern countries, but his spokesman later said it was not a call for a confrontation between the two Muslim traditions - Sunni and Shia. | He said achieving this would need the support of moderate Middle Eastern countries, but his spokesman later said it was not a call for a confrontation between the two Muslim traditions - Sunni and Shia. |
| During his tour Mr Blair has met Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip to reassure him of the UK's support for Turkey's bid to join the EU. | During his tour Mr Blair has met Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip to reassure him of the UK's support for Turkey's bid to join the EU. |
| And he has met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to discuss the peace process. | And he has met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to discuss the peace process. |
| Palestinian suffering | Palestinian suffering |
| In his speech, he set out three priorities to restore momentum to that process, including an early meeting between the two leader and, a relaunch of the political process leading to a two-state solution. | |
| He also called for an office of president of Palestine, which should be given the capacity to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. | |
| It is hoped a stronger role would allow international aid to be channelled through Mr Abbas - bypassing Hamas, which holds a majority in the Palestinian parliament. | It is hoped a stronger role would allow international aid to be channelled through Mr Abbas - bypassing Hamas, which holds a majority in the Palestinian parliament. |
| The Palestinians have also been suffering under an international aid boycott since Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel or give up its armed struggle, was elected to a majority of seats in January's parliamentary poll. | The Palestinians have also been suffering under an international aid boycott since Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel or give up its armed struggle, was elected to a majority of seats in January's parliamentary poll. |