Blair 'satisfied' with mandate as West Asia envoy

JERUSALEM, July 17 (Reuters) Tony Blair is satisfied with the mandate he has been given as West Asia envoy, his spokesman said today, seeking to put to rest debate over whether he should take on a more direct peacemaking role.

Blair plans to make his first visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank next Monday in his new role, diplomatic sources said. His spokesman declined to comment.

The former British prime minister is representing the Quartet of West Asia mediators, which comprises the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations.

Blair was asked by the Quartet to raise funds for the Palestinians and help to build their ruling institutions and promote economic development.

Senior Western diplomats who have met with Blair said he was seeking to play a broader political role that would give him more direct involvement in peacemaking.

But a spokesman for Blair said: ''Mr Blair is satisfied that his mandate allows him to play the role that is essential to advancing prospects for peace in the West Asia, and that is what he is focusing on.'' He is to visit representatives of the EU, Italy and Spain before heading to Lisbon, where the Quartet meets on Thursday.

Senior diplomatic sources in Jerusalem said Blair would then travel to Israel on Monday for talks with leaders in Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah. The trip will last less than 48 hours.

REUTERS SKB HT1908