This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6905843.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Blair embraces new Mid-East role Blair hopeful for Mid-East talks
(40 minutes later)
Newly-appointed Middle East envoy Tony Blair has said he is optimistic that momentum can be regained in the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.Newly-appointed Middle East envoy Tony Blair has said he is optimistic that momentum can be regained in the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Attending his first meeting of the Quartet group in Lisbon, he said there was "no more important issue for peace and security in the world".Attending his first meeting of the Quartet group in Lisbon, he said there was "no more important issue for peace and security in the world".
It is the group's first meeting since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip last month. It was the group's first meeting since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip last month.
The Quartet is made up of the EU, the US, Russia and the UN.The Quartet is made up of the EU, the US, Russia and the UN.
Before the meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice rejected dealing with Hamas until it recognised Israel. Addressing a news conference after the meeting, Mr Blair said: "There is a sense that we can regain momentum. That is the crucial thing.
"We have a very good partner in Mahmoud Abbas, who after all is the elected president of the Palestinian people," Ms Rice said. "If we are able to regain that momentum then a whole lot of things become possible, not least the fact that those people of peace can then feel that the force is with them, and not with those who want conflict."
"It makes very good sense to work with him and Hamas, I think, knows what is expected for international respectability." He said it was important to work towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem - with Israel confident of its security, and a Palestine with viable institutions.
Her remarks were echoed by Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the EU.
"I see no conditions at the moment to engage [in] new relations with Hamas without a new position from them," he said.
Limited mandateLimited mandate
The Quartet wants Hamas to recognise Israel's right to exist, renounce terrorism and sign up to past agreements with Israel. The former British prime minister said he was an optimist, and would probably need that quality in the months ahead.
Also at the UN talks are UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Mr Blair is expected to travel to the region next week, where he said he planned to "listen, to absorb and to reflect" before putting forward any proposals.
Hamas received fresh criticism from Ms Rice and Mr AmadoMr Blair's mandate is limited to helping the Palestinians to develop their institutions and economy. Hamas received fresh criticism from Ms Rice and Mr AmadoAlso at the UN talks are UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Mr Blair's mandate is limited to helping the Palestinians to develop their institutions and economy.
But if Mr Blair wants to be more than a fringe player in the Middle East, says the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, he will have to get Israel, the Palestinians and the Quartet members talking about final status issues.But if Mr Blair wants to be more than a fringe player in the Middle East, says the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, he will have to get Israel, the Palestinians and the Quartet members talking about final status issues.
These include the position of Israel's permanent borders, Jewish settlements on Palestinian territory and the fate of Palestinian refugees.These include the position of Israel's permanent borders, Jewish settlements on Palestinian territory and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
There is also the status of Jerusalem, claimed by Israel as its capital, but where the Palestinians also want to make their capital.There is also the status of Jerusalem, claimed by Israel as its capital, but where the Palestinians also want to make their capital.
Hamas out in the cold
Mr Blair's appointment last month was welcomed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, led by Mr Abbas, whose Fatah faction controls the West Bank.Mr Blair's appointment last month was welcomed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, led by Mr 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 position during 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.
Mr Blair takes up the role days after US President George W Bush called for a new push for peace in the Middle East. The Quartet wants Hamas to recognise Israel's right to exist, renounce terrorism and sign up to past agreements with Israel.
He called for a peace conference later this year that would involve the US, Israel and some of its Arab neighbours. Before the meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, rejected dealing with Hamas until it recognised Israel.
"We have a very good partner in Mahmoud Abbas... It makes very good sense to work with him and Hamas, I think, knows what is expected for international respectability," Ms Rice said.