US offers Blair new role in Middle East

The United States is understood to be in talks with former UK prime minister Tony Blair about giving him a new role in getting Arab states to back a fresh Middle East peace initiative, The Times reported on Tuesday.
The idea is believed to have been discussed when US secretary of state John Kerry met Blair in Egypt at the weekend on the sidelines of the EEDC.
The change of role would give the former British prime minister a dignified exit after eight years as envoy for the Quartet of the US, the European Union, United Nations and Russia.
US President Barack Obama's administration is believed to prefer to use Blair as an adviser rather than as a representative.
Russia and the EU have spoken recently about reinvigorating the Quartet. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hopes in Egypt last month for an intensification of its activities. The European powers want to bring Arab states and their representatives such as the Arab League into the process.