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Middle East Quartet appoints Blair as next envoy

Former British prime minister Tony Blair was named the international envoy to the Middle East to spearhead efforts to create a Palestinian state, hours after stepping down as British prime minister.

"Following discussions among the principals, today the Quartet dealing with the Middle East is announcing the appointment of Tony Blair as the Quartet representative," UN spokeswoman Michele Montas announced on Wednesday.

Blair, 54, will also "help identify and secure appropriate international support in addressing the institutional governance needs of the Palestinian state, focusing as a matter of urgency on the rule of law," a Quartet statement said.

The so-called Middle East Quartet, comprising the EU, Russia, the UN and the US, has tried since 2003 to implement a roadmap for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

The post of Quartet representative had been vacant since former World Bank chairman James Wolfensohn left in frustration in May last year.

World leaders, led by US President George W. Bush, welcomed Blair's appointment as did Israel and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

But the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas denounced it.

"He will not do anything to support the Palestinian interests but will do everything to support the Israeli occupation," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said in Gaza.

Bangladesh expressed doubts yesterday over Blair's new role, saying he would have a tough time shaking off his "bad reputation."
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