Blair May Be Chosen As Peace Envoy for Middle East

Jun 21, 04:55 AM

Current Headlines: By James Kirkup political editor

TONY Blair could be offered a formal role as an international peace envoy to the Middle East when he steps down, it was suggested yesterday.

The Prime Minister will resign next week, and has openly spoken of his hope to remain engaged in the search for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

According to one report yesterday, that ambition could be realised with his appointment as special envoy for the Quartet group, which brings together the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia.

The job of special envoy for the Quartet has been vacant since April 2006. The al-Jazeera television network said yesterday that the US was now actively talking of Mr Blair taking up the post.

Downing Street has consistently played down reports about Mr Blair's retirement plans, last week rejecting French suggestions that he is in the running for the new post of EU president.

But fuelling speculation, the Prime Minister's Office last night pointedly declined to deny the al-Jazeera report about the Quartet job. And the White House last night conceded that the Prime Minister may have discussed the idea with George Bush, the US president.

"Obviously Prime Minister Blair has been very active and deeply involved in Middle East peace issues throughout his prime ministership," said Dana Perino, a White House spokeswoman. "It would not surprise me if they have talked about what [he] would like to do following the end of his term."

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