Donald Trump has suggested Sir Tony Blair might not be ‘popular’ enough to help run Gaza.
The US President surprised many by naming the former PM as a potential member of his ‘Board of Peace’ to oversee the territory.
But he has now hinted at a change in approach, after Palestinians and Hamas voiced opposition to Sir Tony’s involvement.
The ex-Labour leader remains a controversial figure in the region from his role in the Iraq War.
He was also the Middle East envoy for the quartet of powers after leaving No10.
Speaking on Air Force One en route to Israel overnight, Mr Trump said he wanted the Board of Peace up and running quickly.
‘I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he’s an acceptable choice to everybody,’ he said.
He added: ‘I want to find out that Tony would be popular with all because I just don’t know that.’
Mr Trump on Monday met with Sir Tony at a Gaza peace summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, with the pair posing for pictures together.
Donald Trump on Monday met with Sir Tony at a Gaza peace summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, with the pair posing for pictures together
But the US President has suggested Sir Tony might not be ‘popular’ enough to help run Gaza as a potential member of his ‘Board of Peace’ to oversee the territory
Mr Trump has hinted at a change in approach, after Palestinians and Hamas voiced opposition to Sir Tony’s involvement
Sir Tony was expected to meet senior figures from the Palestinian Authority in the region later.
Mr Trump himself is set to chair the board, which would be tasked with overseeing an interim governing authority for Gaza.
Sir Tony’s former No10 chief of staff Jonathan Powell is now Keir Starmer’s national security adviser.
Mr Powell was praised by US envoy Steve Witkoff for his part in achieving the Gaza deal today.
However, Sir Keir – who was also in Egypt today for a signing ceremony – has appeared cool on Sir Tony’s involvement in the peace settlement.
Last week he described the agreement as ‘a real breakthrough’, but asked about his predecessor’s potential role he said: ‘I’m less interested, to be perfectly frank, in discussions about personnel than I am in getting it implemented.’
He added: ‘The UK has played an important part behind the scenes in relation to these negotiations, working with the US mediators, and we stand ready to play our part in implementing this.’
Sir Keir – who was in Egypt today for a signing ceremony – has appeared cool on Sir Tony’s involvement in the peace settlement
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