Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair (1997–2007) will not be part of the proposed Peace Council that is expected to oversee governance in the Gaza Strip, the Financial Times reported, citing sources. Arab and Muslim countries were said to oppose his inclusion.
According to the newspaper, several governments in the region rejected Blair’s candidacy because of his vocal support for the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. They also reportedly feared that if Blair served on the council — which is to be chaired by US President Donald Trump — Palestinian interests could be sidelined in Gaza’s postwar administration.
Blair’s allies, speaking to the FT, dismissed suggestions that regional objections had anything to do with his exclusion. They argued instead that the Peace Council is meant to be composed of “current world leaders,” which would naturally rule out a former prime minister.
However, Blair is still expected to have a role: according to the report, he will join a separate body — an executive committee that will also include Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior officials from Arab and Western states.
The FT writes that this executive committee will be headed by Nickolay Mladenov, former UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (2015–2020) and Bulgaria’s Defense Minister (2009–2010). The committee, which was not mentioned in the original Gaza plan, is expected to coordinate between the Peace Council and a Palestinian technocratic committee.
The paper notes that Mladenov appears set to take on the role of “chief administrator” — a position initially envisioned for Blair.
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Based on materials from TASS