The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to appoint Tony Blair to a key position overseeing Gaza has sparked objections from several Arab and Muslim countries, highlighting the challenges facing Washington-backed plans for managing the territory after the war, according to the Financial Times.
اضافة اعلان
Three diplomats told the Financial Times that some Arab and Muslim states expressed concerns about involving Blair in a proposed “Peace Council” intended to supervise Gaza’s transitional phase. The objections are largely linked to his support for the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Diplomats also noted apprehension that Blair’s initial plans could marginalize the role of Palestinians in Gaza’s governance.
The countries consulted by Trump regarding Gaza’s future include Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, and Indonesia.
Due to the sensitivity of the matter, diplomats declined to identify which countries objected to Blair’s appointment.
One Arab diplomat said: “Some countries have reservations due to his vision or past, while others believe Palestinians will reject him, which could slow or complicate the agreement’s implementation.”
Another diplomat added: “Blair’s reputation and role in Iraq are generally viewed negatively, so it depends on how things are structured moving forward.”
The diplomats indicated that an Arab-Muslim mechanism is in place to discuss positions, noting that some negative reactions emerged during consultations among Muslim-majority Arab countries.
