Blair arrives in Gaza to assess damage

BEIT HANOUN, Gaza, March 1 (UPI) -- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Gaza Sunday saying he'll listen to Palestinian residents and "relay their account" of the Israeli incursion.

Blair said he wanted to see first-hand the effects of Israel's 22-day military operation in Gaza, which began in late December, The Times of London reported.

"These are the people who need to be the focus of all our efforts for peace and progress from now on," he said, adding he would "relay their account of events, their assessment of what is needed for reconstruction, their goals for rebuilding a vibrant sector" to an international conference.

The former prime minister was acting as envoy of the Middle East "Quartet," which includes the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States. The four countries were due to meet on the sidelines of the Gaza conference, to be held Monday in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheik, the Times said.

British consular officials told reporters Blair was scheduled to meet with local businesspeople, Gaza civil society members and water utility authorities, as well attend an English class at a U.N.-run school in Beit Hanoun, Gaza.