EON

London – Tony Blair, who is widely expected to be made a special Middle East envoy after his resignation as British prime minister, Wednesday stressed his support for a “two-state solution” in the conflict region.

Before he stepped down, Blair was asked in parliament in London what his reasons would be for accepting such a role.

“The absolute priority is to try to give effect to what is now the consensus across the international community that the only way of bringing stability and peace to the Middle East is the two-state solution,” said Blair.

“This means a state of Israel secure and confident of its security, and a Palestinian state that is not merely viable in terms of its territory, but in terms of its institutions and governance,” he added.

“I believe it is possible to do that. But it will require a huge intensity of focus and work.”