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Blair 'to become Mid-East envoy' Blair 'to become Mid-East envoy'
(29 minutes later)
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been offered the job as Middle East envoy for the US, Russia, the UN and the EU, says Irish PM Bertie Ahern. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has accepted the job of Middle East envoy for the US, Russia, the UN and the EU, says Irish PM Bertie Ahern.
Mr Blair, who steps down as British PM later, is thought likely to announce he will step down as an MP to take up the post for the Middle East quartet. Mr Blair, who steps down as PM later, is thought likely to announce he will also resign as an MP to take up the post for the Middle East quartet.
Mr Blair has been MP for Sedgefield, in north-east England, since 1983.Mr Blair has been MP for Sedgefield, in north-east England, since 1983.
His constituency agent, John Burton, said he knew Mr Blair wanted the job and would encourage him to take it. Mr Ahern told Irish state broadcasters RTE that Mr Blair had already accepted the appointment as Middle East envoy.
"I spoke to him about this on Friday night when he told me that he was going to take it - until then it had been speculation - so I can tell you that's exactly what he's going to do," he said on Wednesday.
"He believes if you have hands-on, persistent engagement then you can have real progress."
I know he would like to do that. If he gets that position we would encourage him to take it up John BurtonTony Blair's constituency agent
The Labour Party had been put on standby that Mr Blair might announce his resignation as an MP, as he hands over the British premiership to Chancellor Gordon Brown.The Labour Party had been put on standby that Mr Blair might announce his resignation as an MP, as he hands over the British premiership to Chancellor Gordon Brown.
"I have always said that if he gave up his seat it would be for a big job on the worldwide stage," Mr Burton told the BBC. Mr Blair's constituency agent, John Burton, told the BBC he knew Mr Blair wanted the envoy job and would encourage him to take it.
"I have always said that if he gave up his seat it would be for a big job on the worldwide stage," Mr Burton said.
"And of course there's the possibility of him working for the quartet, America, Russia and Europe in the Middle East and I know he would like to do that. If he gets that position we would encourage him to take it up.""And of course there's the possibility of him working for the quartet, America, Russia and Europe in the Middle East and I know he would like to do that. If he gets that position we would encourage him to take it up."
Representatives from the quartet have been meeting in Jerusalem to discuss the post of envoy. US President Bush supports Mr Blair in the role, but diplomatic sources told the BBC on Tuesday that frosty relations between Russia and Britain were behind a delay in any announcement.
US President Bush supports Mr Blair in the role, but diplomatic sources told the BBC that frosty relations between Russia and Britain were behind a delay in any announcement.
However, senior UN officials describe Mr Blair as a star player who will bring energy to the Middle East peace process.However, senior UN officials describe Mr Blair as a star player who will bring energy to the Middle East peace process.