Blair sees "possibility" in the Middle East
Blair is tasked with helping Palestine
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Tuesday, 24, Jul 2007 04:20
Tony Blair said he believes there is a "sense of possibility" that relations in Palestine can improve as his first visit to the Middle East as Quartet envoy gets under way.
The former UK prime minister has met with Israeli and Palestinian ministers during his two-day visit to "listen, learn and reflect".
After meeting with Israeli president Shimon Peres, Mr Blair told a news conference: "I think there is a sense of possibility, but whether that sense of possibility can be translated into something – that is something that needs to be worked at and thought about over time."
Mr Peres added that there is a "serious window of opportunity" to advance peace in the region but feared it would not last for long.
Mr Blair took up the role of Quartet representative last month, representing the UN, EU, Russia and the US.
He has responsibility for finding and securing ways to address Palestine's needs as well as improving the country's economic development.
Significant time will be spent in the region helping to "create viable and lasting government institutions representing all Palestinians, a robust economy, and a climate of law and order for the Palestinian people", according to the Quartet.
Mr Blair's task has been intensified by the recent division in Palestine between Hamas and Fatah supporters.
Islamist militant group Hamas currently controls Gaza while President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah controls the West Bank.