Quartet Representative to the Middle East and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (R) stands next to Palestinian Minster of Work Mamoun Abu Shahla during Blair's visit to Gaza City, February 15, 2015. Pool photo by Suhaib Salem/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, March 16 (UPI) -- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will minimize his role as Middle East peace envoy as suggestions were made he was ineffective in that role.

He has been a lead envoy since 2007 for the bloc called the Quartet -- the United States, United Nations, Russia and the European Union -- in negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, but has chosen to step back as policy options, prior to Tuesday's general election in Europe, are under review.


A former U.S. official reported Blair was slowly being eased out of his role as envoy, telling the British newspaper The Telegraph of a lack of credibility on Blair's part, prompted by worsening relations with the Palestinian Authority and his practice of traveling the Middle East on behalf of his own business interests.

"Frankly all sides just rolled their eyes at the mention of his name," the official said.

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"He showed up, but was not effective. Honestly, when the [U.S. Secretary of State John] Kerry negotiations were going on, it was like he'd wait until Kerry was going to be in the region and show up at the same time and then do press releases. It was sort of unseemly. In the end the Israelis didn't mind him, because he was heavily tilted towards them, but the Palestinians couldn't stand him and most of the rest of the peace-making community and other groups included, just rolled their eyes. Of course people met with him; he's the former British prime minister and head of the Quartet, but beyond the media, there was really nothing much doing."

Blair most recently met with Kerry Saturday in Egypt to pursue a change of assignment, and also met with the European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who seeks a more hardline approach by the EU toward Israel.

Blair has been gradually eased from his position, another senior diplomat told the British newspaper Financial Times.

"It is long overdue," the diplomat said. "He has been ineffective in this job. He has no credibility in this part of the world."

Another person, close to the Obama administration, noted, "Tony Blair is neither an asset nor a liability, but his current role is no longer viable."