The Quartet of Middle East mediators from the EU, Russia, the UN and US has been meeting to discuss the appointment of a new 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 widely expected that Tony 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.
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 Quartet met for three hours at the US consulate in Jerusalem and representatives left without speaking to the media.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting with California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in London on Tuesday, Mr Blair underlined his interest in the job.
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.
"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," 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 Tony Blair 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.
Relations between Tony Blair and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been fraught, particularly following the poisoning in Britain of Putin critic last year.
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.
Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip earlier in June
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.
"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.
Fighting erupted on the streets of Gaza, with Hamas gunmen routing the pro-Fatah security forces.
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.
Discussions
The Quartet met for three hours at the US consulate in Jerusalem and representatives left without speaking to the media.
Afterwards, US State Department spokesman Tom Casey confirmed there had been discussions about the position of envoy and the duties it involved, but would not say who might be appointed.
I am sure that he would be received well in appropriate fashion and be very successful doing whatever he chooses to do Tom CaseyUS State Department spokesman
However, Mr Casey did note that Mr Blair would be someone who was certainly dedicated to achieving peace in the Middle East.
"I am sure that he would be received well in appropriate fashion and be very successful doing whatever he chooses to do," he said.
The US spokesman said any announcement might not be made until Wednesday, the day Mr Blair is due to leave office.
Criticism
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, the prime minister is a controversial figure in the Middle East, primarily because of the war in Iraq.
However, he remains 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 and to call for an early ceasefire.
He was also much criticised in the region for refusing to condemn Israel's bombardment of Lebanon in 2006.
Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip earlier in June
The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says Israeli officials enthuse about Mr Blair's status and experience. Palestinians are far more sceptical.
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".
But Mr Blair's former personal Middle East envoy, Lord Levy, said people ought to "focus on the positives".
"I know that the Palestinian leadership has a great respect for him. I know he has an excellent relationship with President Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah of Jordan. He has excellent relationships in the Gulf," he said.
Boost
The Quartet meeting follows a summit between the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians in Sharm al-Sheikh aimed at boosting Mr Abbas and Fatah movement after he named an emergency cabinet of his supporters.
HAVE YOUR SAY Tony Blair would prove a severe hindrance in the peace process Jane, London Send us your comments
The efforts to strengthen Mr Abbas's position were 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.
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.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in Sharm al-Sheikh that he was proposing the release of 250 Fatah detainees.
Israel also 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".
