Tony Blair is relinquishing his post as the envoy for the Middle East Quartet to take a different role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Blair, who has been at the helm of the Quartet for nearly eight years, intends to reshape his role in the Quartet and remain part of the peace process, the report said. The former British premier had discussed the change with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, the report said. A clarification on Blair's role is expected later this week. A source close to Blair told Reuters that discussions about his role are ongoing. His role is likely to be more regional and he will continue to work on the Palestinian economy, the source added. Also on Monday, Mogherini named veteran Italian negotiator Fernando Gentilini as the bloc's special representative to the Middle East, a decision supported by EU foreign ministers. EU officials said his nomination had no bearing on Blair's role in the region. "We are looking very closely how to revive the role of the [Middle East] quartet, starting with the role of the European Union," Mogherini told a news conference, adding that on the issue of Blair there was "no issue of [his] resignation." The Middle East Quartet, comprising the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, has been seeking to mediate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 2002. "Tony Blair's responsibility focused on supporting the economic development of Palestinians. This is not the main focus we have. The main focus we have is the launch of the peace process," Mogherini said. Gentilini's appointment aims to reinvigorate European involvement in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which collapsed in April last year. No concrete plan is expected until after Israel's election. Gentilini, an EU official, is the director for Western Europe, Western Balkans and Turkey at the European External Action Service, the EU's diplomatic service. He has worked in Afghanistan for NATO and for the EU in Kosovo.
Tony Blair to step down as Middle East Quartet envoy
British former premier to retire from role of European Union's special envoy to the region after eight years, but will remain involved in peace process • EU's foreign policy chief names veteran Italian negotiator Fernando Gentilini as Blair's successor.
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