Blair might take post as Mideast envoy

WASHINGTON -- US officials have talked with Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain about taking a role as a Middle East peace envoy after he leaves office next week.

Assistant Secretary of State David Welch, the State Department's top diplomat for the Middle East, talked with Blair in London yesterday, while the White House and State Department spoke glowingly about the prime minister's credentials but said there was nothing to announce yet.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel also expressed support for Blair playing a role in the Middle East.

"Officials in the prime minister's office are aware of this idea, and Prime Minister Olmert is very supportive of Prime Minister Blair and of his continuing involvement in the Middle East and the peace process," said Miri Eisin, Israeli government spokeswoman.

Blair steps down June 27.

"Obviously Prime Minister Blair has been very active and deeply involved in Middle East peace issues throughout his prime ministership," said Dana Perino, White House spokeswoman.

She said Blair and Bush speak often. "It would not surprise me if they have talked about what Prime Minister Blair would like to do following the end of his term . . . but we don't have anything to announce today," Perino said.

James Wolfensohn, a former president of the World Bank, stepped down in April as international Mideast envoy for the Quartet of peacemakers -- the United States, European Union, United Nations, and Russia. The position envisioned for Blair was said to be an enhanced version of that role.

Members of the Quartet may meet in Paris next week, although Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia has a scheduling conflict and the meeting could be postponed.

At the State Department, spokesman Sean McCormack would not say whether the United States wants Blair to take the job, but indicated there is a need for a new Mideast envoy.

The Mideast peace envoy would work to help the Palestinians strengthen their political and economic systems and institutions in preparation for an eventual independent Palestinian state, McCormack said.