Tony Blair 'Had No Credibility' in Middle East Process, Says US Official

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: All sides in Middle East peace process would roll their eyes at mention of Tony Blair's name, US government official involved in talks tells Telegraph

Tony Blair had “no credibility” left with the parties in the Middle East peace process, a former US government official who was closely involved with trying to revive the talks last year has told The Telegraph.

“Frankly all sides just rolled their eyes at the mention of his name,” the official said as it was reported that Mr Blair was being “eased out” of his role as head of so-called Quartet.

Rumours that Mr Blair was being asked to step down have been circulating for some days, but were apparently confirmed on Sunday night by The Financial Times. Mr Blair’s office has declined to comment.

In his role, which he took up in 2007, Mr Blair represented the United States of America, the United Nations, Russia and the European Union as a Middle East peace envoy working with the Palestinians.

But in the last round of failed negotiations which began after John Kerry took over as US secretary of state 2013 and broke down last year, Mr Blair had become “a standing joke”, the official said, speaking last week. » | Peter Foster, Washington | Monday, March 16, 2015

Doubts Over Middle East Quartet's Rôle
The Middle East quartet - made up of representatives from the US, EU, UN and Russia - has called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to work towards resuming direct negotiations, which stalled two years ago. Alan Fisher reports.

Blair Urged to 'Reconsider' Job
BBC: Lord Levy has told the BBC he thinks Tony Blair should consider whether to continue his job as an envoy for the Middle East Quartet.

The former prime minister's ally said he should examine if he had "the time and tools" to help the peace process.

Lord Levy, the former prime minister's representative to the region, was speaking on BBC Radio 4's Week in Westminster programme.

He said he should think about what his role was "precisely" going to be.

Asked if he thought Mr Blair should step down, Lord Levy said: "As a friend I would say to him, do you feel you have the time, do you feel you have the tools, to really make a difference in this arena?

"And if you do, then what are you going to do and how are you going to go about it?"

Lord Levy said if there were not enough "ticks in all those boxes" he would advise someone else should take over.

Mr Blair has been criticised for trying to combine business roles, speechmaking and work with his faith foundation with trying to resolve the dispute. >>> | Saturday, March 7, 2009

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