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July 23, 2007

Tony Blair in Middle East to Reactivate Peace Process
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=183BDF3:A6F02AD83191E160249E7A22A45A40BE9574F7DCC14957C0 Former British
prime minister to meet Israeli foreign, defense ministers in Jerusalem
following meeting Monday in Amman Former British Prime Minister Tony
Blair began his first trip to the Middle East as special envoy for the
peace Quartet with a visit to Jordan.







Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul-Ilah al-Khatib, right, meetw with
Tony Blair, 23 Jul 2007After talks Monday, in Amman with Jordanian
Foreign Minister Abdel Ilah Khatib on reactivating the peace process,
Blair was scheduled to fly to Israel.

He will meet Israel's foreign and defense ministers as well as a top
American diplomat for talks in Jerusalem. Mr. Blair will then meet
Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem, and with
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

Following meetings last week in Lisbon, Portugal among members of the
international Quartet of Middle East mediators, Mr. Blair said that
during his trip he would listen, absorb and reflect before making any
recommendations.

Mr. Blair's duties include raising funds for the Palestinians and
developing their infrastructure and economy.

In a statement at the end of Thursday's meeting in Lisbon, Quartet
members expressed support for the Palestinian Authority government and
welcomed President Bush's renewed commitment to a negotiated two-state
solution.

The meeting was the highest-level Quartet talks since Hamas seized
control of the Gaza Strip last month, in fighting with Fatah forces
loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Middle East peace Quartet includes the Unites States, European
Union, United Nations and Russia.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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