By Xinhua,
Gaza : International Middle East envoy Tony Blair postponed a visit to the Hamas-controled Gaza Strip which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, a UN official said.
John Ging, operations director of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said Blair told him that his visit was postponed and though a new date is not set up, Blair said “visiting Gaza was one of his commitments.”
The former British prime minister, who represents the Middle East Quartet, would have been the highest western official to visit Gaza after Hamas took over the territory in June 2007.
He was scheduled to meet Ging, inspect UNRWA-run schools and inaugurate a western-funded sewage drainage project in northern Gaza Strip.
Until the visit was announced to be postponed, Blair has had noplans to meet any member of the deposed Hamas movement which rules Gaza.
The Quartet, which comprises the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations, boycotts Hamas unless the Islamic movement recognizes Israel, renounces violence and respects peace deals.
In June 2007, Hamas routed forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and seized power of the coastal enclave. As a result, Abbas formed a western-backed government in the West Bank and fired a Hamas-led coalition.
Meanwhile, Hamas government said Israel and “other sides” have put pressure on Blair to cancel his visit to Gaza.
“The Israeli occupation put big pressure on Mr. Blair and succeeded to prevent him from visiting the Gaza Strip,” said Taheral-Nounou, spokesman for the Hamas government.
Al-Nounou added that Israel does not want Blair “to see the degree of the disaster in Gaza that was caused by the harsh siege and the crimes the occupation committed.”
An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel went effect on June 19.