BERLIN, June 28 (UPI) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was the unanimous choice for Middle East peace envoy.
She said Blair has great political experience and could provide an important contribution to finding a solution to the Mideast conflict, Deutsche Welle reported Thursday.
Merkel said Blair will deal directly with the Quartet -- linking the European Union, United Nations, Russia and the United States in mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The newspaper said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has complained of a lack of consultation with members of the Quartet over the appointment.
European media reports said the decision had been made solely between the United States and Blair behind closed doors, the newspaper said.
Steinmeier said Blair's work would focus on "institution building in, and political strengthening of, the Palestinian Authority." He said "the Quartet itself wants to keep the political task of shaping the Middle East peace process in its own hands."
