MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Tony Blair ready for new job as Middle East peace envoy

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who may be named as an international Middle East peace envoy, said he will do anything he can to bring about a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Blair's appointment was due to be agreed during a two days meeting of the Middle East ''Quartet'' (United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations -- in Jerusalem. Speaking on his last full day as British prime minister, Mr Blair said: "I think that anybody who cares about greater peace and stability in the world knows that a lasting and enduring resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is essential. And I will do whatever I can to help such a resolution come about". Blair, whose support for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq angered Arabs, has consistently argued that the creation of a Palestinian state existing alongside Israel is the key to peace in the Middle East. During his decade as prime minister, Blair also helped to end three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. Blair's job, if confirmed, will be to prepare the Palestinians for negotiations with Israel, working with them over security, the economy and governance, reported the London newspaper The Guardian. A further suggestion that Blair is expecting the job came later when John Burton, an aide who works in his Sedgefield Parliamentary district, said Blair had called a special meeting of activists there Wednesday evening. Mr Blair has been MP for Sedgefield, in north-east England, since 1983. "He said if he got a significant international job he would step down" from his Parliamentary seat, Burton said in a telephone interview. "I would expect him to do that". The previous Quartet envoy, former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, stepped down in April 2006, criticizing international efforts to strengthen the Palestinian economy and attacking the decision to cut aid to the Palestinian Authority after Hamas came to power. Wolfensohn welcomed Blair's presumptive appointment. "There is an urgent need to promote economic development in Gaza and the West Bank as a foundation for lasting peace" he said in a statement. "Tony Blair is an excellent choice and I hope his great experience will bring a new dynamic to the negotiations". Blair first hinted at a Middle East role in a May 17 interview with Al-Arabiya television on his final visit to Washington. US President Bush supports Mr Blair in the role, but according to the British press frosty relations between Russia and Britain were behind a delay in any announcement. However, senior UN officials describe Blair as a star player who will bring energy to the Middle East peace process. His possible appointment has the backing of the Israeli government. "The idea of Tony Blair continuing to be involved is something we look upon very positively" said Miri Eisin, a spokesman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The quartet decision is expected tomorrow Wednesday when Gordon Brown will take over as British Prime Minister.