This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6240060.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Mid-East group debates Blair role | Mid-East group debates Blair role |
| (12 minutes later) | |
| The Quartet of Middle East mediators is considering naming Tony Blair for a top peacemaking post, diplomats say. | The Quartet of Middle East mediators is considering naming Tony Blair for a top peacemaking post, diplomats say. |
| Mr Blair steps down on Wednesday as UK prime minister and officials from the EU, Russia, the UN and US are working to define a possible new role for him. | Mr Blair steps down on Wednesday as UK prime minister and officials from the EU, Russia, the UN and US are working to define a possible new role for him. |
| It is the Quartet's first meeting since Hamas militants took control of security from pro-Fatah rivals in Gaza. | It is the Quartet's first meeting since Hamas militants took control of security from pro-Fatah rivals in Gaza. |
| The US has signalled its desire for a role for Mr Blair, but many Arabs see him as too pro-American and Israeli. | The US has signalled its desire for a role for Mr Blair, but many Arabs see him as too pro-American and Israeli. |
| Separately, Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said he would ask his government to release 250 jailed Fatah members. | Separately, Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said he would ask his government to release 250 jailed Fatah members. |
| Mr Olmert was speaking at a summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh that was also attended by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan. | Mr Olmert was speaking at a summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh that was also attended by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan. |
| The summit was aimed at boosting Mr Abbas and his Fatah movement after he dissolved the Hamas-led government and named an emergency cabinet of his supporters. | The summit was aimed at boosting Mr Abbas and his Fatah movement after he dissolved the Hamas-led government and named an emergency cabinet of his supporters. |
| The efforts to strengthen Mr Abbas's position are continuing on Tuesday with talks between President Mubarak and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. | The efforts to strengthen Mr Abbas's position are continuing on Tuesday with talks between President Mubarak and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. |
| Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006, but was boycotted by Israel and isolated internationally because of its refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence. | Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006, but was boycotted by Israel and isolated internationally because of its refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence. |
| Controversial figure | Controversial figure |
| Mr Blair has said several times that he is committed to advancing peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip earlier in June | |
| But correspondents say he is a controversial figure in the Middle East, primarily because of the war in Iraq. | But correspondents say he is a controversial figure in the Middle East, primarily because of the war in Iraq. |
| He was also much criticised in the region for refusing to condemn Israel's bombardment of Lebanon in 2006. | He was also much criticised in the region for refusing to condemn Israel's bombardment of Lebanon in 2006. |
| BBC Jerusalem correspondent Tim Franks says Israeli officials enthuse about Mr Blair's status and experience. Palestinians are far more sceptical as to whether he would be able to make any lasting difference. | BBC Jerusalem correspondent Tim Franks says Israeli officials enthuse about Mr Blair's status and experience. Palestinians are far more sceptical as to whether he would be able to make any lasting difference. |
| The Russians are said to be cool about his possible appointment, but are not expected to block it. | The Russians are said to be cool about his possible appointment, but are not expected to block it. |
| A spokesman for the Islamist Hamas group said that "the experience of our people with Blair was bad" and his appointment "may even make things worse". | A spokesman for the Islamist Hamas group said that "the experience of our people with Blair was bad" and his appointment "may even make things worse". |
| The meeting at the US consulate in Jerusalem was closed to the media and the British Embassy in Tel Aviv would not confirm reports that Mr Blair's role was under discussion. | The meeting at the US consulate in Jerusalem was closed to the media and the British Embassy in Tel Aviv would not confirm reports that Mr Blair's role was under discussion. |
| Reports in the British media said he would not act as a mediator to end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, but might be responsible for working with the Palestinians on security, economy and governance. | Reports in the British media said he would not act as a mediator to end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, but might be responsible for working with the Palestinians on security, economy and governance. |
| Hamas offer | Hamas offer |
| On Monday, the ousted Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya of Hamas, said his group was ready to talk to Fatah again after last week's upheaval. | On Monday, the ousted Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya of Hamas, said his group was ready to talk to Fatah again after last week's upheaval. |
| A spokesman for Mr Haniya in Gaza said Hamas was "disposed to immediately take up this dialogue" urged by Mr Mubarak. | A spokesman for Mr Haniya in Gaza said Hamas was "disposed to immediately take up this dialogue" urged by Mr Mubarak. |
| In a separate development, Mr Olmert told the gathering: "As a gesture of goodwill towards the Palestinians, I will bring before the Israeli cabinet a proposal to free 250 Fatah prisoners who do not have blood on their hands." | In a separate development, Mr Olmert told the gathering: "As a gesture of goodwill towards the Palestinians, I will bring before the Israeli cabinet a proposal to free 250 Fatah prisoners who do not have blood on their hands." |
| He added that those freed would have to sign a commitment not to return to violence. | He added that those freed would have to sign a commitment not to return to violence. |
| About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge. | About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge. |
| For his part, Mr Abbas urged Israel to "start serious political negotiations, according to an agreed time frame, with the aim of setting up an independent Palestinian state". | For his part, Mr Abbas urged Israel to "start serious political negotiations, according to an agreed time frame, with the aim of setting up an independent Palestinian state". |