Blair may be Middle East peace envoy

Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair is poised to be named the international peace envoy to the Middle East.

London, June 26 : Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair is poised to be named the international peace envoy to the Middle East.

According to The Daily Mail, Balir's appointment has been in the pipeline for weeks, but question marks remain over how much political capital he has in the region, particularly among Arab leaders.

Blair has been viewed as U.S.President George Bush's 'poodle' since the Iraq war. In addition, the Palestinians insist that Mr Bush is biased towards Israel and critics in Russia and Europe have also cited Iraq as a hindrance to Blair winning Arab trust.

Nevertheless, all the indications were that Mr Blair would get the job after officials discussed it at a meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheik last night.

Sources said the outgoing Premier was given a clear run for the post after Moscow decided not to oppose the move.

The appointment is expected to be made in Jerusalem later today, at a special meeting of officials representing US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

Blair would not take up the job immediately, but is likely to begin in the autumn, according to a Middle East source. He would be paid a salary by the Quartet - which could be as little as 100,000 pounds a year, a significant drop from the 188,000 pounds he earned as Prime Minister.

There was also speculation that his chief of staff Jonathan Powell would be appointed as an aide.

Blair's role would focus on the Palestinian side of the conflict rather than negotiations between Israel and Palestinians. At the top of his agenda will be an attempt to forge a Palestinian state, despite Hamas's takeover of Gaza.

Blair will work out of an office in Jerusalem, but intends to be based in London.

ANI