Blair sees possibilities in ME mission

Tony Blair spoke of a "moment of opportunity" after he met Palestinian and Israeli leaders yesterday on his first visit to the region as an international envoy.

But he cautioned that steps towards peace would take time. In his first public remarks since beginning a 48-hour trip to Jerusalem and the West Bank on Monday, the former British Prime Minister said he had come mainly "to listen and to learn and to reflect". He will return for longer in early September.

"I think there is a sense of possibility at the moment. I think this is a moment of opportunity," Mr Blair said in Ramallah after meeting Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

After earlier talks in Jerusalem with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Mr Blair said translating those possibilities "into something" would require work and thought "over time".

Mr Blair also met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose secular Fatah faction lost control of Gaza to Hamas Islamists in fighting last month. That has led Israel and Western powers to redouble their efforts to bolster the West Bank leader but has also hurt prospects for a Palestinian state in both territories.

Palestinian officials said they wanted Mr Blair to use his ties to US President George W. Bush to help end Israeli occupation and ensure a resumption of negotiations for a Palestinian state.

Mr Blair himself is keen to play such a role, diplomats say. But Israeli officials may see that as well beyond the brief Mr Blair was given by the Quartet - the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia. That mandate, as Israeli officials emphasise, asks Mr Blair to help bolster the economy and Palestinian institutions as a prelude to peace negotiations.