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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Blair becomes Middle East envoy | Blair becomes Middle East envoy |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Tony Blair is to become a Middle East envoy working on behalf of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU. | Tony Blair is to become a Middle East envoy working on behalf of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU. |
| 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. | 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 said a "solution" to the problems in the Middle East was possible but that this would require "huge intensity and work". | Mr Blair said a "solution" to the problems in the Middle East was possible but that this would require "huge intensity and work". |
| Russia opposed his appointment initially but has since agreed to it. | Russia opposed his appointment initially but has since agreed to it. |
| During his final prime minister's questions on Wednesday, Mr Blair was asked about the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. | During his final prime minister's questions on Wednesday, Mr Blair was asked about the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. |
| Challenge | Challenge |
| He 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." | He 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." |
| Mr Blair's appointment comes at a time of heightened tension in the region. | Mr Blair's appointment comes at a time of heightened tension in the region. |
| It doesn't matter whether Blair is put in that role or not, no-one outside of the Arab world can bring peace to that region Andy, US Send us your views href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6247246.stm">Full text: Quartet statement class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6240770.stm">Blair faces uphill task | |
| Earlier this month Hamas militants overran the Gaza Strip, defeating the Fatah movement led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. | Earlier this month Hamas militants overran the Gaza Strip, defeating the Fatah movement led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. |
| Mr Abbas, who is supported by Western countries and Israel, now effectively controls the West Bank only. | Mr Abbas, who is supported by Western countries and Israel, now effectively controls the West Bank only. |
| He has sacked the Hamas-led unity cabinet and declared a state of emergency. | He has sacked the Hamas-led unity cabinet and declared a state of emergency. |
| BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says failure in the Middle East is more likely than success. | BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says failure in the Middle East is more likely than success. |
| Israelis like Mr Blair because they believe he is on their side and Palestinians in the main do not trust him for the same reason, our correspondent adds. | Israelis like Mr Blair because they believe he is on their side and Palestinians in the main do not trust him for the same reason, our correspondent adds. |
| 'Peace maker' | 'Peace maker' |
| But senior UN officials describe Mr Blair as a star player who will bring energy to the peace process. | But senior UN officials describe Mr Blair as a star player who will bring energy to the peace process. |
| Mr Blair, who had been UK prime minister since 1997, was replaced by Gordon Brown on Wednesday. | Mr Blair, who had been UK prime minister since 1997, was replaced by Gordon Brown on Wednesday. |
| Hamas controls the Gaza Strip nowadays | Hamas controls the Gaza Strip nowadays |
| He has proved a controversial figure in the UK and elsewhere for his decision to lead the UK into the Iraq war. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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." |