Palestinian official accuses Blair of being biased to Israel

A senior Palestinian official Saturday slammed Tony Blair, former British prime minister and special envoy of the Middle East mediating quartet, accusing him of being biased to Israel. Nabil Shaath, a Palestinian negotiator, told a new conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah that the Palestinians "are outraged and dissatisfied over Blair's behavior shortly before a Palestinian request was submitted to the United Nations for full membership of a Palestinian state on Sept. 23." "The former British prime minister is only seeking to make Israel satisfied," said Shaath, who is also a member in President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah Party's Central Committee. On Sept. 23, Abbas addressed the UN General Assembly shortly after he submitted an official request to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for full membership of a Palestinian state at the world body. Earlier media reports quoted official Palestinian sources as saying that due to Blair's supportive position to Israel, which opposes the Palestinian UN bid, the Palestinians are considering calling for his sack from the post. The quartet comprises the United States, the UN, the European Union and Russia. Shaath denied the reports. However, Shaath said that Blair's stance was criticized by the Palestinian leadership as he demanded the Palestinians accept a resumption of direct peace talks with Israel and avoid the bid to the UN. Palestinian officials had earlier slammed Blair's request, saying he neglected their demands of having a reference to the peace talks, halting settlement constructions and recognizing the principle of the two-state solution. Blair was chosen to be the quartet's envoy in 2007. Shaath had called on the quartet to make its position clear concerning the settlement cessation and the international references for the Middle East peace process.