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 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Mid-East group debates Blair role | Mid-East group debates Blair role |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| The Quartet of Middle East mediators from the EU, Russia, the UN and US has discussed the appointment of Tony Blair as special envoy for the region. | The Quartet of Middle East mediators from the EU, Russia, the UN and US has discussed the appointment of Tony Blair as special envoy for the region. |
| It is expected that Mr Blair will be offered the job after he steps down as UK prime minister on Wednesday. | It is expected that Mr Blair will be offered the job after he steps down as UK prime minister on Wednesday. |
| It was the Quartet's first meeting since Hamas seized control of security from pro-Fatah rivals in Gaza. | It was the Quartet's first meeting since Hamas seized control of security from pro-Fatah rivals in Gaza. |
| Washington has signalled its desire for a role for Mr Blair, but many Arabs see him as too close to the US and Israel. | Washington has signalled its desire for a role for Mr Blair, but many Arabs see him as too close to the US and Israel. |
| The Quartet met for three hours at the US consulate in Jerusalem and representatives left without speaking to the media. | The Quartet met for three hours at the US consulate in Jerusalem and representatives left without speaking to the media. |
| Afterwards, in Washington, state department spokesman Tom Casey confirmed there had been talks about the position of envoy, but would not say who might be appointed. | Afterwards, in Washington, state department spokesman Tom Casey confirmed there had been talks about the position of envoy, but would not say who might be appointed. |
| Israelis and Palestinians speak of Tony Blair's prospects as Middle East peace envoyIn pictures | Israelis and Palestinians speak of Tony Blair's prospects as Middle East peace envoyIn pictures |
| However, Mr Casey noted that Mr Blair would be someone who "would be received well" and be "very successful doing whatever he chooses to do". | However, Mr Casey noted that Mr Blair would be someone who "would be received well" and be "very successful doing whatever he chooses to do". |
| Diplomatic sources have told the BBC the delay in the announcement is due primarily to objections from Russia. | Diplomatic sources have told the BBC the delay in the announcement is due primarily to objections from Russia. |
| Relations between Tony Blair and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been fraught, particularly following the poisoning in Britain of Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko last year. | |
| Regionals misgivings | Regionals misgivings |
| However, diplomats predict that Russia will come round to Mr Blair's appointment, probably by Wednesday, the day he leaves office, says the BBC's Laura Trevelyan at UN headquarters. | However, diplomats predict that Russia will come round to Mr Blair's appointment, probably by Wednesday, the day he leaves office, says the BBC's Laura Trevelyan at UN headquarters. |
| Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip earlier in June | Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip earlier in June |
| Mr Blair himself on Tuesday underlined his interest in the job. | Mr Blair himself on Tuesday underlined his interest in the job. |
| "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," he said. | "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," he said. |
| "And I will do whatever I can to help such a resolution come about." | "And I will do whatever I can to help such a resolution come about." |
| 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. | 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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Tony Blair would prove a severe hindrance in the peace process Jane, London Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY Tony Blair would prove a severe hindrance in the peace process Jane, London Send us your comments |
| Mr Blair's expected role would be to focus on helping the Palestinians build effective institutions on behalf of the Quartet. | Mr Blair's expected role would be to focus on helping the Palestinians build effective institutions on behalf of the Quartet. |
| However, he remains a controversial figure in the Middle East, primarily because of the war in Iraq. | However, he remains 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. |
| A spokesman for the Islamist Hamas group said "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 "the experience of our people with Blair was bad" and his appointment "may even make things worse". |