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Mid-East group debates Blair role Mid-East group debates Blair role
(about 1 hour 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. A lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is essential and I will do whatever I can to help such a resolution come about UK Prime Minister Tony Blair The outgoing prime minister signalled his interest in taking the job, as he spoke to reporters following a meeting with California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at Downing Street.
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. "I think that anybody who cares about greater peace and stability in the world knows that a lasting and enduring resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is essential," Mr Blair said.
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. "And I will do whatever I can to help such a resolution come about."
The efforts to strengthen Mr Abbas's position are continuing on Tuesday with talks between President Mubarak and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The Middle East situation has become more critical in the last two weeks, as a Palestinian unity deal collapsed between the Islamist Hamas and secular Fatah.
Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006, but was boycotted by Israel and isolated internationally because of its refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence. Fighting erupted on the streets of Gaza, with Hamas gunmen routing the pro-Fatah security forces.
Controversial figure Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, of Fatah, responded by dissolving the Hamas-led cabinet, bringing about the division of Gaza and the West Bank as separate fiefdoms.
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 Criticism
But correspondents say he is a controversial figure in the Middle East, primarily because of the war in Iraq. Mr Blair 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 and to call for an early ceasefire.
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. Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip earlier in JuneBBC Jerusalem correspondent Tim Franks says Israeli officials enthuse about Mr Blair's status and experience. Palestinians are far more sceptical.
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 Boost
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. The Quartet meeting follows a summit between the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians in Sharm el-Sheikh aimed at boosting Mr Abbas and Fatah movement after he named an emergency cabinet of his supporters.
A spokesman for Mr Haniya in Gaza said Hamas was "disposed to immediately take up this dialogue" urged by Mr Mubarak. The efforts to strengthen Mr Abbas's position are continuing on Tuesday with talks between President Mubarak and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
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." Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006, but was boycotted by Israel and isolated internationally because of its refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence.
He added that those freed would have to sign a commitment not to return to violence. On Monday, the ousted Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya of Hamas, said his group was ready to talk to Fatah again after this month's upheaval.
About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in Sharm el-Sheikh that he was proposing the release of 250 Fatah detainees.
Earlier Israel announced it would pay the emergency government hundreds of millions of dollars of tax revenues it has withheld since Hamas took power.
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".