Blair calls for two-state solution
Tony Blair begins his new role today
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Thursday, 19, Jul 2007 11:53
Tony Blair has said he wants to "regain momentum" in the Middle East peace process in the coming months.
Speaking in his first press conference as envoy for the Quartet in Lisbon today, Mr Blair said he would work to build up Palestinian institutions in order to bring about a two-state solution.
The former British prime minister was appointed as the group's envoy last month and led the group comprising the EU, the US, the UN and Russia in its meeting today.
"It's a full three weeks since I've done a press conference so I'm a little out of practice," he said.
"There is a vision that has been set out that is shared by the whole of the international community," Mr Blair said, referring to the two-state solution.
"There is a sense that we can regain momentum. That is the crucial thing and if we are able to regain that momentum then a whole lot of things become possible, not least the fact that those people who want peace believe that the force is with them," he added.
Today's meeting was the first Quartet event since the Islamic group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip from the secular party Fatah.
The US and the UK supports Fatah leader and president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, and Mr Blair is tasked with rebuilding the Palestinian infrastructure and heading back towards a two-state solution.
Since Hamas took over control of Gaza, the militant group has attempted to show it can instill law and order in the region.
Hamas won the last Palestinian elections but ongoing disagreements with Fatah led to a period of violence and the eventual withdrawal of Fatah from Gaza.
Attending today's talks will be the US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and representatives from the EU and Russia.
Mr Blair's appointment has been welcomed by Mr Abbas but Hamas have given him a frostier reception, accusing him of adopting a pro-Israeli stance in previous negotiations on the issue.
"There is a real will and desire if people can find the right way forward to get to that two-state solution that people want. Just imagine for a moment if this process were moving forward again… just think how much hope there would be," he said later in the press conference.
"As you will know… I'm nothing if not an optimist and I'll probably have need of all that optimism but I'm determined to try."