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US Eyes Blair as Mideast Envoy

Soon-to-be-former PM would focus on groundwork for a Palestinian state

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2007 7:25 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Outgoing British PM Tony Blair may step into a new role as a Mideast envoy focusing on the development of a viable Palestinian state, the Washington Post reports. Blair would concentrate on economic and governance issues; he would represent the quartet of world players involved in Mideast peace efforts—the US, the UN, the EU and Russia.

The appointment has been under discussion for two months.The Palestinians have not been approached about the idea, but US officials  expect it to be welcomed; Blair is in good standing with current Palestinian leaders, thought he is viewed as a strong supporter of Israel and a close Bush ally. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert is on board.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair (L) greets US Secretary of...
British Prime Minister Tony Blair (L) greets US Secretary of...   (Getty Images)
President Bush walks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in this May file photo at the White House in Washington. Bush has talked with Blair about taking a role as a Middle East peace envoy after he leaves office next week. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, FILE)
President Bush walks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in this May file photo at the White House in Washington. Bush has talked with Blair about taking a role as a Middle East peace envoy after he...   (Associated Press)
President Bush walks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, on June 7, 2007. Bush has talked with British Prime Minister Tony Blair about taking a role as a Middle East peace envoy after he leaves office next week. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, FILE)
President Bush walks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, on June 7, 2007. Bush has talked with British Prime Minister Tony Blair about taking a role as a...   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair leaves 10 Downing Street on his way to attend Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons in London, Wednesday, June 20, 2007.(AP Photo/Sang Tan)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair leaves 10 Downing Street on his way to attend Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons in London, Wednesday, June 20, 2007.(AP Photo/Sang Tan)   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair leaves Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers questions at the House of Commons, London, Wednesday June 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair leaves Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers questions at the House of Commons, London, Wednesday June 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)   (Associated Press)
U.S. President George Bush, left, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are seen during a working meeting in Heiligendamm June 7, 2007. Leaders from the world's major industrialised nations meet in the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm on June 6-8 for a Group of Eight (G8) summit. AP Photo/Denis Sinyakov/POOL
U.S. President George Bush, left, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are seen during a working meeting in Heiligendamm June 7, 2007. Leaders from the world's major industrialised nations meet in the...   (Associated Press)
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Palestinian Authority • Russia • Tony Blair • Middle East • Ehud Olmert • Condoleezza Rice • United States

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