The government of the United Arab Emirates has welcomed the appointment of Tony Blair as Middle East peace envoy.

Following his stepping down from the role of British Prime Minister, Mr Blair has accepted a role as special envoy for the international diplomatic Quartet on the Middle East with a portfolio focused on Palestinian economic and political reform. Members of the Quartet, the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia have all given their public blessing to the appointment.

In a statement issued yesterday in the UAE, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, expressed hope that Mr Blair's appointment would give a real boost to the stumbling peace process in the region.

He said the UAE considers the assignment of Mr Blair as an indication of the Mideast Quartet's intention to refresh the peace process in line with the Arab peace initiative and the UN resolutions, with the aim of establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Shaikh Abdullah pointed out that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has also welcomed Blair's appointment.