Middle East Due to Get More than Enough of the Man Middle Easterners Love to Hate

Photo of Tony Blair courtesy of The Times

TIMESONLINE: Tony Blair’s nomination for the post of international envoy in the Middle East is likely to be confirmed as early as today despite grumbles from Europe and last-minute wrangles over his job description.

Sources in London and Washington indicated yesterday that the announcement will be made if agreement is reached between the so-called “Quartet” of powers – America, Europe, Russia and the United Nations – which oversee the Middle East peace process.

Mr Blair’s nomination has been pushed by Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, and – to a lesser extent – the White House, in behind-the-scenes negotiations over recent months. Blair set to clinch job as world’s man in the Middle East (more) By Tom Baldwin in Washington, Greg Hurst and Philip Webster

THE GUARDIAN:
Odds stacked against Blair mission

Mark Alexander