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Blair 'to become Mid-East envoy' Blair becomes Middle East envoy
(about 7 hours 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. Tony Blair is to become a Middle East envoy working on behalf of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU.
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. The announcement comes just hours after he stood down as UK prime minister and shortly before it was announced he was to quit as a Member of Parliament.
Mr Blair has been MP for Sedgefield, in north-east England, since 1983. Earlier, Mr Blair said a "solution" to the problems in the Middle East was possible but that this would require "huge intensity and work".
Mr Ahern told Irish state broadcasters RTE that Mr Blair had already accepted the appointment as Middle East envoy. Russia was thought to have opposed his appointment but has since agreed to it.
"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. During his final prime minister's questions on Wednesday, Mr Blair was asked about the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
"He believes if you have hands-on, persistent engagement then you can have real progress." 'Absolute priority'
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 Mr Blair told MPs: "The absolute priority is to try to give effect to what is now the consensus across the international community - that the only way of bringing stability and peace to the Middle East is a two-state solution."
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. Diplomatic sources had suggested frosty relations between Russia and Britain were behind a delay in any announcement.
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.
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."
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.
Mr Blair, who had been UK prime minister since 1997, was replaced by Gordon Brown on Wednesday.
He has proved a controversial figure in the UK and elsewhere for his decision to lead the UK into the Iraq war.
But he has also been widely praised for his efforts in bringing the peace process to fruition in Northern Ireland.
At prime minister's questions, Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley said: "I just want to say to the prime minister this one word: He has entered into another colossal task.
"I hope that what happened in Northern Ireland will be repeated and at the end of the day he will be able to look back and say it was well worthwhile."