Quartet seeks ways to revive peace talks

Occupied Jerusalem: The "Quartet" of international Mideast negotiators yesterday searched for ways to revive peace talks after Hamas's takeover of the Gaza Strip, a day before the group was expected to name outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair as its senior envoy.

The appointment of Blair would be the latest step in a sudden burst of diplomacy following Hamas's seizure of Gaza two weeks ago and add a high-profile figure to efforts to end one of the world's most intractable conflicts.

The international community has been trying to bolster Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose forces were defeated by Hamas, and restart peace talks with Israel.

As part of that effort, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Abbas and the Egyptian and Jordanian leaders on Monday in a gesture of support for the Palestinian president.

Trying to build on the momentum, representatives of the Quartet - the US, European Union, UN and Russia - met for nearly three hours yesterday at the American Consulate in occupied Jerusalem.

The talks were the first since Hamas took control of Gaza, a development that has complicated peace prospects.

Speaking to reporters later in the West Bank town of Ramallah, the US representative, Assistant Secretary of State David Welch, would say only that the Jerusalem meeting "went well." "You'll hear more later," he added, without elaborating.

US officials in Washington said the Quartet is expected to name Blair as its senior negotiator.

Both Israeli and Palestinian officials reacted positively to the prospect of Blair's involvement in peace efforts.

"Tony Blair is a very well-appreciated figure in Israel," said Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Fahmi Al Za'arer, a spokesman for Abbas's Fatah movement, said the Palestinians would welcome Blair. "We believe that Mr. Blair's efforts would help ... revive the political process." In Washington, deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey said yesterday's talks in occupied Jerusalem included a discussion about the post and what its duties might be.