Tony Blair has given his strongest indication yet that he is ready to take up a role looking for peace in the Middle East when he retires as Prime Minister on Wednesday.
Widespread reports have suggested Mr Blair will soon be appointed the envoy for the so-called Quartet of the US, EU, UN and Russia which is seeking to establish peace in the region based on a "road map" towards two states of Israel and Palestine.
Asked at a press conference whether he was expecting to be offered such a post, Mr Blair neither confirmed nor denied the report but said he was ready to do "whatever I can".
He said: "I think that anybody who cares about greater peace and stability in the world knows that a lasting and enduring resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is essential.
"As I have said on many occasions, I would do whatever I could to help such a resolution come about."
