Tony Blair in Middle East to Reactivate Peace Process
23 July 2007
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair began his first trip to the Middle East as special envoy for the peace Quartet with a visit to Jordan.
After talks Monday, in Amman with Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdel Ilah Khatib on reactivating the peace process, Blair was scheduled to fly to Israel.
He will meet Israel's foreign and defense ministers as well as a top American diplomat for talks in Jerusalem. Mr. Blair will then meet Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem, and with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
Following meetings last week in Lisbon, Portugal among members of the international Quartet of Middle East mediators, Mr. Blair said that during his trip he would listen, absorb and reflect before making any recommendations.
Mr. Blair's duties include raising funds for the Palestinians and developing their infrastructure and economy.
In a statement at the end of Thursday's meeting in Lisbon, Quartet members expressed support for the Palestinian Authority government and welcomed President Bush's renewed commitment to a negotiated two-state solution.
The meeting was the highest-level Quartet talks since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip last month, in fighting with Fatah forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Middle East peace Quartet includes the Unites States, European Union, United Nations and Russia.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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