Tony Blair quits as Middle East peace envoy after eight years

Former British PM was appointed by ‘Quartet’ of US, EU, Russia and UN in 2007

Tony Blair has stepped down as the Quartet's Middle East peace envoy, officials said, leaving a post that began with great promise but which struggled to deliver dramatic changes in its quest to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

The departure reflected the dire state of Middle East peace efforts, which have been stalled for years and show no signs of resuming following the formation of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government.

A top Palestinian official said he was “happy” Mr Blair was leaving, accusing him of ineffectiveness and of caving in to Israeli pressure.

Officials familiar with the work of the Quartet in the region said former British prime minister Mr Blair had written a letter to United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon to confirm his resignation.

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The Quartet – which includes the US, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations – appointed Mr Blair to the post in 2007 with the goal of helping develop the Palestinian economy and institutions.

The mission was meant to prepare the groundwork for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as part of a peace agreement. PA