Blair's new job:The Middle East peacebroking "Quartet" - the US, United Nations, EU and Russia - named Tony Blair as special envoy shortly after he handed over the reins of power in London. Last-minute Russian hesitation was overcome.
Mr Blair has strong backing from US president George Bush, and both Israel and aides to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas have also backed the appointment.
But Hamas, which routed Mr Abbas's forces in Gaza two weeks ago, complicating efforts to found a Palestinian state in both the coastal enclave and the inland West Bank, derided Mr Blair as pro-Israeli. Arab states also have reservations about a man identified with backing for Mr Bush's invasion of Iraq.
Mr Blair himself told the Commons in his final appearance: "The absolute priority is to try to give effect to what is now the consensus across the international community - that the only way of bringing stability and peace to the Middle East is a two-state solution . . . I believe it is possible to do that but it will require a huge intensity of focus and work."
In its statement, the Quartet said recent events in Gaza and the West Bank "make it more urgent than ever that we advance the search for peace in the Middle East.
"The Quartet reaffirms its objective to promote an end to the conflict in conformity with the road map and expresses its intention to redouble its efforts in that regard," the statement said.
The Quartet expects Mr Blair to work with Mr Abbas on building up institutions needed for a future state, diplomats said. With Gaza under Hamas control and effectively cut off from Mr Abbas's Fatah-dominated West Bank, that is a major challenge.
Mr Blair will "mobilise international assistance for the Palestinians", UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said, adding that he had "long demonstrated his commitment on these issues". - (Reuters)