Blair 'satisfied' with mandate as ME envoy

Tony Blair is satisfied with the mandate he has been given as Middle East envoy, his spokesman said yesterday, seeking to put to rest debate over whether he should take on a more direct peacemaking role.

Mr Blair plans to make his first visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank next Monday in his new role, diplomatic sources said. His spokesman declined to comment.

The former British Prime Minister is representing the Quartet of Middle East mediators, which comprises the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations.

He met EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner in Brussels to prepare his mission.

Afterwards, Mr Solana, reported by diplomats to have been unenthusiastic about Mr Blair's appointment, said the former British leader had a "fundamental" task to help make a reality of the vision of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

"He'll be working on helping the Palestinians to have a state, helping them to have the possibility of making a reality the two-state solution that we support. That is a very important... task for him and I'm sure he's going to do it very well," Mr Solana said before departing on his own Middle East trip.

The EU foreign policy chief, who is due to meet Palestinian and Israeli leaders today, praised US President George W. Bush's speech calling for an international conference in October to help advance an Israeli-Palestinian peace solution.

Mr Bush's declared determination to help the Palestinians economically and politically "shows a determination not only to talk about a two-state solution, to express a vision, but to see how that vision can become a reality," Mr Solana said.

Mr Blair was asked by the Quartet to raise funds for the Palestinians and help to build their ruling institutions and promote economic development.

He is to visit representatives of the EU, Italy and Spain today before heading to Lisbon, where the Quartet meets tomorrow.

Senior diplomatic sources in Jerusalem said Mr Blair would then travel to Israel on Monday for talks with leaders in Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah. The trip will last less than 48 hours.