Blair named Quartet's new Mideast envoy
UN, US, EU and Russia announce appointment of outgoing British prime minister as their representative in negotiations between Israel, Palestinians. Blair to seek international support to help PA institutions
The United Nations, United States, the European Union and Russia announced the appointment Wednesday of Tony Blair as their representative in efforts to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
A statement from the so-called Quartet of Mideast peace mediators said the former British prime minister, who stepped down earlier Wednesday, will seek to mobilize international assistance to the Palestinians and develop plans to promote Palestinian economic development. Blair will also seek international support to address the needs of Palestinian government institutions, "focusing as a matter of urgency on the rule of law," the statement said.
"The urgency of recent events has reinforced the need for the international community, bearing in mind the obligations of the parties, to help Palestinians as they build the institutions and economy of a viable state in Gaza and the West Bank, able to take its place as a peaceful and prosperous partner to Israel and its other neighbors," the Quartet statement said. "To facilitate efforts to these ends, following discussions among the principals, today the Quartet announced the appointment of Tony Blair as the Quartet Representative," it said.
UN spokeswoman Michele Montas announced the appointment and released the statement.
Blair will replace former World Bank head James Wolfensohn, who quit in frustration after less than a year in the post. Little came of his efforts to bring Israelis and Palestinians together after Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, which was followed by rising violence and a Hamas victory in parliamentary elections last year. The Quartet unveiled a road map to peace in 2003, with simultaneous steps by Israel and the Palestinians, culminating in the establishment of a Palestinian state. But implementation of the road map has been stalled for several years.
According to the Quartet statement, Blair will work with a small team of experts, based in Jerusalem, from partner countries and institutions.
"As representative, Tony Blair will bring continuity and intensity of focus to the work of the Quartet in support of the Palestinians, within the broader framework of the Quartet's efforts to promote an end to the conflict in conformity with the road map," the statement said. "He will spend significant time in the region working with the parties and others to help create viable and lasting government institutions representing all Palestinians, a robust economy, and a climate of law and order for the Palestinian people," it said.
