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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Blair 'to become Mid-East envoy' | Blair 'to become Mid-East envoy' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 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, 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. |
| Mr Ahern told Irish state broadcasters RTE that Mr Blair had already accepted the appointment as Middle East envoy. | 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. | "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." | "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 | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | "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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Tony Blair would prove a severe hindrance in the peace process Jane, London Send us your comments | |
| "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." |
| 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 on Tuesday 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. |