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Blair chairs first Quartet talks Blair chairs first Quartet talks
(10 minutes later)
Tony Blair is set to formally begin his new role as an envoy for the Middle East by chairing a meeting in Lisbon.Tony Blair is set to formally begin his new role as an envoy for the Middle East by chairing a meeting in Lisbon.
The Quartet group, made up of the EU, the US, Russia and the UN, hopes to move towards restarting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.The Quartet group, made up of the EU, the US, Russia and the UN, hopes to move towards restarting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
It is the group's first meeting since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip last month.It is the group's first meeting since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip last month.
Mr Blair's mandate is limited to helping the Palestinians to develop their institutions and economy.Mr Blair's mandate is limited to helping the Palestinians to develop their institutions and economy.
But hopes are high that the former British prime minister, who stepped down last month, will be able to make real progress toward peace. But hopes are high in some circles that the former British prime minister, who stepped down last month, will be able to make real progress toward peace.
Mr Blair takes up the role days after US President George W Bush called for a new push for peace in the Middle East.Mr Blair takes up the role days after US President George W Bush called for a new push for peace in the Middle East.
'New boost'
The talks in Portugal, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, will bring together UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.The talks in Portugal, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, will bring together UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado said this week he hoped the meeting would give "a new boost" to the stalled peace process.Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado said this week he hoped the meeting would give "a new boost" to the stalled peace process.
Mr Blair's appointment last month was been welcomed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas whose Fatah faction controls the West Bank.Mr Blair's appointment last month was been welcomed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas whose Fatah faction controls the West Bank.
However, Hamas said Mr Blair had not been honest or helpful while prime minister, because of his support for Israel's war against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the invasion of Iraq. However, Hamas said Mr Blair had not been honest or helpful while prime minister, because of his position during Israel's war against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the invasion of Iraq.
President Bush has called for a peace conference later this year that would involve the US, Israel and some of its Arab neighbours.President Bush has called for a peace conference later this year that would involve the US, Israel and some of its Arab neighbours.