![\"Tony](\"http:\/\/www.nationalturk.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Tony-Blair-steps-down-Middle-East-peace-envoy.jpg\")
International Middle East peace mediators known as the Quartet confirmed Wednesday that former British prime minister Tony Blair resigned as their special envoy.<\/h1>\nInternational Middle East peace mediators known as the Quartet confirmed Wednesday that former British prime minister Tony Blair resigned as their special envoy.<\/h1>\n“As the Quartet\u2019s envoy on the ground during the last eight years, Mr. Blair demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace and made lasting contributions to the effort to promote economic growth and improve daily life in the West Bank and Gaza,” said a statement issued from UN headquarters in New York.<\/p>\n
According to Anadolu \u00a0Agency, Blair, who has carved out a lucrative career as an adviser since leaving Downing Street in 2007, is said to have felt \u201cconstrained\u201d by a role restricted to supporting Palestinians’ economic development, according to media reports.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe remains fully committed to assisting the international community in its work with Israel and the Palestinians to bring about progress on the two-state solution,\u201d a source close to Blair said.<\/p>\n
He will see out his duties representing the US, Russia, the UN and the EU before stepping down next month, the source added.<\/p>\n
The Mideast peace process continues to limp along, and direct peace talks remain deadlocked amid Israel’s unilateral settlement-building policies in occupied lands and Palestinians\u2019 efforts on international recognition of their statehood.<\/p>\n
The former Labour leader, who served as prime minister for 10 years, believes an \u201centirely new approach\u201d is needed to securing a two-state solution in the Middle East, the source said, suggesting Blair would concentrate on Israel\u2019s relations with the wider Arab world to end the \u201congoing impasse in the peace process.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a recent trip to Gaza, Blair laid out three preconditions for a successful peace process – improving the lives of Palestinians; creating a sovereign Palestinian state and a regionally-accepted Israel; and increasing pressure on neighboring states to lead the peace process alongside the international community.<\/p>\n
“The Quartet thanks Mr. Blair for his remarkable service and reaffirms its commitment to advancing peace and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians,” read the group’s statement.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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