There has been a news blackout for security reasons. But I can now report that Tony Blair has arrived in Lebanon for the final leg of his latest Middle East tour. It's certainly a charged location for him to be in on the fifth anniversary of 9/11.

As we know from his notorious "Yo Blair" chat with George Bush, the Prime Minister has been anxious to visit Beirut ever since the cross border fighting broke out this summer between Israel and the Lebanon.

He's due to meet Prime Minister Siniora, who has already visited Downing Street. But the meeting with Speaker Nabih Berry has been cancelled. Berry - who is leader of the Amal Party - is often seen as a conduit to Hizbollah but he is believed to have travelled to Iran instead of meeting the Prime Minister.

However Mr Blair is due to hold talks with members of the Lebanese government which could included elected members of Hizbollah. Such a meeting with individuals linked to "terrorists", could also be the model for negotiations with Hamas in Palestine, provided its members join a government of national unity.

Of course Beirut is now at peace again after the Israeli bombardments of the summer. Nevertheless British prime ministers do seem to have a taste for going to edgy places where US presidents, for example, fear to tread.

Not so long ago Blair's helicopter was dodging its way into Baghdad. John Major flew into Kuwait while the oil wells were still burning just after the liberation. Margaret Thatcher liked nothing better than glaring at communist guards across a border.

On this trip Mr Blair has already promised to come back again while he's still Prime Minister (that's a hint, Gordon!).

Comments

[M Heywood 23 Sep 2006 01:34:45]

Rob, just noticed your comment here and I quote, "the freedom to live free of fear, to do what they like in their own nation, to go where they like to go in their own nation and to live their live show they see fit". Seems you are moving onto the British side after all as you state exactly what we have been telling you how we feel about the Moslem invasion of our country. Well done.

[Philip Glasgow 22 Sep 2006 07:29:11]

Like the "Battling Bastards of Bastogne" I only have one thing to say to all the self-righteous folk who seem to think that Israel has no right to exist or that they should listen to those who seem to think they know better, "NUTS"
The only reason Israel exists today is because they have a strong US/Jewish Lobby with mighty powerful Jews and that Israel has nuclear weapons, end of story.
Unlike the times of yore when Jews had nothing and because the world despised the "Christ Killers", they(Jews) were continually being slaughtered by nearly every other race from Catholics and their Pope, the Russian Orthodox and their Czar and the Protestants and their Archibishop and finally the German Race aided and abbetted by the French,the Hungarians, the Austrians, the Polish, the Lithuanians,the Romanians not forgetting the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem etc.etc. and they managed to murder 6 million or 56% of the worlds Jewish population and yet today there are those Jews who feel that Israel should put themselves in the hands of the "United Nations" and their so called "resolutions" so as to bring peace to the region (Middle East)
This is the same "United Nations" that let the slaughter between the Hutus and the Tsutsis go on unabaited, who stood by in Bosnia and let the slaughter of Muslims continue in cities under UN control and are twiddling their thumbs as the indigenous tribes of the Darfur region are being "ethnically cleansed".Is this there something the "Peace now Movement" cannot grasp or understand. Israel doesn't exist because they are a peace loving people, they exist, because the rest of the world is not.
The U.K. have always had an Arab bias perhaps because of trying to assuage their guilt over the "Crusades" and their dislike of those of the "Hebrew" persuasion but what cannot be understood is the ant-U.S.sentiment promulgated by those who have should be eternally grateful to those damned "Yanks" who gave their lives selflessly on foreign shores to free Great Britain and Europe from the armies of tyrants and despots.
Finally, in the words of Sam Clement (not his pen name )
"the problem is not that people don't know, it's what they know that ain't so that's the problem" Philip Morrison

[Rita 18 Sep 2006 14:23:42]

Bill of Norfolk, wonder what planet you hail from, I have never read such a load of old rubbish in all my life.

I suggest you go and read your history books, before you make any more silly statements, why should Israel want Lebanon? She made her land flowing with milk and honey, perhaps you haven't heard the one about a military aircraft with high ranking men on board, and the pilot being told he would recognise Israel - green , pleasant and richly cultivated - when you reach the brown, scorched earth - that is Lebanon.

[Bill Norfolk Coast 16 Sep 2006 23:50:51]

Israel stole the land it occupies from the Lebanese in the first instance. The ruse was to follow the so called "Promised Land" bit in the Bible. The yanks gave them their State of Israel and with the Israelis have stomped all over the Lebanon since. If any conflict is undertaken by the yanks, no matter where in the world, they will twist, stretch, lie to their teeth about any so-called "Intelligence" to satisfy their murderous appetites as prime candidate for global rule, and Mr. Blair nibbles on the bones they throw him...his colonial friend across the sea...and there is a lot of innocent blood on both their hands and "Joe Public" hops from one foot to the other as none-plussed as ever..."eeeaassy!" they say! And shout...Next!

[Roisin Sheridan Dublin 12 Sep 2006 18:55:55]

When I worked for UNHCR during the height of the war in Central Bosnia in 1992, we were sent into the field without flack jackets, completely vulnerable to the shelling. I complained and ended up in bad flavour with the UN for standing up for our basic rights. I havde no doubt at all that UK soldiers are ill equipped in Iraq, and other front line positions. Why is it wrong and ill received to stand up for our own rights and safety?
UN staff in the field call it the Game, bomb and then rebuild. First support the wars Mr Blair, and then donate through the E.U. WHATS A BIT OF A BLOOD PRICE TO YOU?
It means a lot to me having met and got assistance from many decent UK soldiers in front line positions over the years. And what about the civillian collatoral damage? I dont know how you can sleep at night Mr Blair, not to mind looking healthy and relaxed at the TUC. Shame on you.

[ROB--Birmingham 12 Sep 2006 12:16:09]

It is quite surprising to read some of the comments like hizbollah was harboured by lebanon, for those wishing to deal with reality hizbollah has been voted into parliment by the lebanese people.

hezbollah derives its resistance from the lebanese people who endured 22 years of barbaric israli occupation.

since the year 2000 and before hostilities broke out israel had violated lebanons teritory every other day, so it is quite rich israel claiming that hizbollah violated its territory when it captured the soldeirs.

if israel has the right to level lebanon because two of its soldeirs were captured, then by that very yardstick the palestinians have the right to level israel since it is holding around ten thousand palestinians hostages in its jails, the majority of these hostages are innocent civillians who dared to demand freedom.

the freedom to live free of fear,to do what they like in their own nation, to go were they like to go in their own nation and to live thier live show they see fit.

[BGA Earith 12 Sep 2006 11:58:34]

Please stay there Tony, preferably with a target painted on your back, yes the same one you've given all us Brits as we are now targets of terrorism due to your blind following of american foreign policy in the middle east.

[mary.london 12 Sep 2006 09:17:30]

very nice of mr blair to offer millions of tax payers money to help rebuild lebanon when our soldiers are sent to war not properly aquipped

[Asad 12 Sep 2006 08:40:04]

Tony Blair is the fading PM of UK & court jester of Bush,who is on the way out,what can he contribute.Nothing what so ever,he is wasting others time,he can not undo his follies.Pleas he should spend more time with his family & convert to 'ISLAM',that way he can do more service to humanity?

[John Norman, (UK citizen) Singapore 12 Sep 2006 06:23:27]

Regarding Mark of London’s comments concerning Mr Blair’s "understanding" of Terrorism, I would state that Mr Blair and his advisors "understand" very little.
I say this in the way that this entire cause of events have come about due to reaction on both American and British "reaction" philosophy, and be it maybe the best that we can come up with, I do believe that as usual vital information and intelligence has not been correctly disseminated and acted upon and that I also believe is partially based on both our home and foreign policy and the limited ability of those peers that seem compromise everyone else’s policies accept their own.
What we need as a country is a pro-active government policy that can be projected without constantly looking over our shoulders and without lacking confidence that we must always abide under the prior arrangements of our US counterparts.
It is one thing to be an allied, another to be the "little brother!"

[John Norman, (UK citizen) Singapore 12 Sep 2006 04:39:26]

Clearly our Prime Minister does not know the "shame" he has caused our country in the eyes of Lebanese and Arabic world in general by deliberately delaying protecting the rights and lives of innocent Lebanese civilians. How can we as a country of people say we protect and hold dear the lives of the worlds people. Clearly the global message we have sent out to the world is that we are selective to a point of our own choice!
Shame on our government and shame sadly on us as English people for allowing it to happen.

[Nancy London 11 Sep 2006 23:27:20]

To Maurice Northumberland . Hezbollah has 24 seats in the lebanese parliament I bet you did not know that . Lebanon has no real army to speak of , the only ones who drove the IDF out of Lebanon in 2000 was hezbollah . they day lebanon has a proper army to defend it , hezbollah is ready to drop its arms , they said it many times .

[Nancy Boulos Bristol 11 Sep 2006 23:24:38]

How dare he show his face in beirut , when he blocked a cease fire requested by the whole world (except him , Olmert and his master in the whitehouse ) How dare he show that sick smile when he let his aiport to be used to transport "the so called Stupid Bombs (not smart) and cluster bombs that killed so many . How dare he come and tell us empty words that mean nothing . we know the Policies of Britain wont change since the Balfour declaration , they are too close to Israel for us to believe anything they say , especially him and his "loud" voice that does not do anything anymore to anyone but annoy .

[John Woking 11 Sep 2006 23:01:07]

I am suprised that Tony Blair was given a visa to visit Lebannon. After all he provided logistical support for American bombs to make their way to Israel. He tried to convince the world that calling for an immediate cease fire would be the wrong thing to do. Israel attacked Lebannon because Hizbollah kidnapped two of its soldiers. How many elected Palestinian government officials has Israel kidnapped in recent months? Israel killed over 1000 people in Lebannon. If Blair had joined other European leaders and called for and supported an immediate cease fire, how many lives could he have spared?
Blair and Bush justify their actions to us by using language such as "spreading democracy in the Middle East", "fighting terrorist activity" and "states that sponsor terrorism".
Hamas is a democratically elected government but Blair and Bush won't recognise them. Are they a terrorist organisation or just an army of a poor state with little military resources trying defend their land from a occupying nuclear power? Is that nuclear power a terrorist organisation? Are we then a state that sponsors terrorism?
Lebannon was a fragile and complex democracy before the recent war, Olmert, Blair and Bush have made it even more so.
In light of the current climate in the Middle East it is important to remeber that the most democratic period of Iran's history ended in 1953 when Britain supported the USA in its financing and organising of a coup d'etat that toppled Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and reinstated the monarchy.

[Roisin Sheridan Dublin 11 Sep 2006 22:18:51]

It was good to see the poll on sky today 64% UK people saying they would not support a UK involvement in an intervention in Iran.
We need public forums, on tv and around the country where an overview of situations can be explored and discussed before they become a crisis or a fait accompli.

[Trevor 11 Sep 2006 21:57:35]

I know that the creation if the State of Israel from Arab lands is always cited, but can anyone explain to me exactly why Israelis and Arabs really can't just get along and live peacefully side by side - if necessary by simply ignoring each other ?

With both sides always seeming to be looking for a reason to fight, one begins to think that the real reason is that they enjoy it !

[Effie 11 Sep 2006 20:35:18]

I just do not know why Tony Blair bothers about the Middle East and Afghanistan, I wish he would bring our military home as none of them are worth the loss of one young British or American life.
Right wrong or indifferent Iraq was rid of a tyrant who murdered and gassed his own people, you would think that the Arabs would show a modicum of thanks to the youngsters who have given their lives to set them free. That really is too much to expect from these ungrateful so-in-so's.
Hate,war and killing is a way of life in the Middle East. This is all these people know. When will our politicians learn that life is cheap to these people, leave the Muslims to look after the Muslim, if they want to live in biblical times and knock seven shades of whats-it out of each other-let them, it will be a few less to try and bomb the hell out of us.
No soldier in WW2 would trust an Arab, 60 years later we still have not learned. They simply just do not think like us.
In our own country the Islamic community could do a damned side more by speaking out loud and clear to the extremist, fanatics and 'Mad Mullahs'. It would help if they spoke English in the Mosque's in this country instead of a language that the Muslim youth does not understand, it is no wonder these fanatics brainwash them.
One would have thought that we would have learned a lesson from Ireland about these fanatics. Religion has caused more trouble over the centuries than any other thing.
When religion is in brains and common sense are out.
I would have thought that there was a good many better ways we could spend tax-payers money in this country.
Spending it in the Middle East is futile.
The bottom line is, they simply do not trust us, they want to live like this, so let them get on with it.

[monti 11 Sep 2006 20:00:36]

This is a sometimes funny, sometimes serious montage starring Blair and Brown - with a fitting finale.

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-3888500512202330106

[alan mcpartland dublin 11 Sep 2006 19:50:59]

It's interesting to see the "spin" Blair is putting on his visit to the Palestinians and to Beirut. This was trotted out dutifully by Nick Robinson of the BBC today. It goes like this. Blair is close to Israel and to Bush and so might be in a position to influence them. He is the voice of reason so to speak on the pro-Israeli side. Nice in theory but in practice, Blair has demonstarted that he has no influence whatever on Bush and the Israelis will in no way be influenecd by a British Prime Minister. They take their cue from the White House and answer to the White House. Still it all makes good copy for Blair and will no doubt push up his fee for future lecture tours. I just pity the poor British taxpayer who is presumably paying for this charade. Lets face it,when Tony travels someone else always foots the bill. And what now for poor Gordie who must watch his boss stride the world like a colossus. Gordie is left prattling on about how "British" he is and denying lots of things; like he is not a team player, that he is not psychologically sound enough to be PM, that he has difficulty making decisions. The funniest one is the accusation that he has no vision. He's an accountant for God's sake. When did you last meet an accountant with "vision". Gordie has enough vision to be a "right hand man" in which role he is very good. And when you take Gordie out of the leadership equation you see how threadbare the leadership of New Labour really is. Interesting times ahead but as I said Adam put money on Tony still being in charge come January 2008. He did say this would be his last conference. He could of course cancel or defer next years if the "war on Iran" is in full swing. He would after all be in the war cabinet bunker at that time saving us all from a fate worse than death.

[Alexa - portugal 11 Sep 2006 19:23:58]

can you imagine gordon or cameron as carismatic and eloquent with the right words and determination in terrible times like terrorism and international crisis? coming up with the same reassurance and trust from citizens around the world - no other than blair as he is doing now! britain can never say no to US no matter the PM or the policy = FACT... but when is bush resigning? now thats the justice i want to know!

[Neil Manchester 11 Sep 2006 19:10:15]

Tony is a great man for visiting the war torn parts of the world that he created with Bumbling Bush.The bodies of five of our fellow country men were received at Brize Norton today. Not a minister in sight. Perhaps Tony should have stayed and stood with the families of the men he so easily sent to their deaths.It is his fault they are dead. We have allowed him to drag us down with the Americans - we had no problems up until then, and our gallant soldiers did not come back from foreign tours of duty, blown to bits and in body bags. Tony has blood on his hands. The blood of fine young men who had their whole lives in front of them. Men who were prepared to die for their country, yet not one minister welcomed their bodies home. Shame on all of them who say they have our best interests at heart.It is empty words. Tony Blair should have stood at Brize Norton, instead of wandering around the Middle East, like Bush's lapdog.

[The UK Daily Pundit - UK 11 Sep 2006 17:51:24]

Are you suggesting, Adam, that Tony Blair will be visiting the region again before December?

[Keith Isle of Wight 11 Sep 2006 17:25:11]

Blair has no influence and never has had in the Middle East, except when Yo Bush says we must support HIM (The USA).

Am I the only one who has noticed Blair's body language. He is a beaten man and his face and body is screaming let me out.

Well Tony you do not have to hang around because your legacy is complete. Just ask the people of Iraq and Afghanistan; for additional confirmation just ask our troops.

On the home front your legacy will last many generations just look at the impact you have had on Immigration, Asylum, Unemployment, NHS, Taxes, Law and Order, etc, etc. Once again if you need additional confirmation just ask the electorate if you dare

[Maurice - Northumberland - Former UK 11 Sep 2006 16:59:35]

Couldn't help himself could he - another £40 million to be drained from British Tax Payers, or is he going to use his own money?
Every-time the tosser goes abroad he spends my money - in this case I find it extremely offensive that he should feel free to spend my money on effectively Hezbollah, and no doubt he will have sanctioned money for Hamas.

[John - Ipswich 11 Sep 2006 14:41:32]

M.Heywood seems to have seen a different conflict to me. Israel's response to the attacks from Hisbollah was to destroy the country of Lebenon and kill indescrimately civilians. Tony Blair kept quiet, and for this he was wrong. Israel whether friend or not should have been publicly held to account for their disproporionate response by the leader of our country. This is not soft on the terrorist, but knowing what is right or wrong in fighting a war.

[Desmond Salaman 11 Sep 2006 14:22:47]

Adam - YO Blair has travelled to the ME for one reason only. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to establish he is now falling over himself in an endeavour to add to his footnote in history. The man has proven again and again what a dwarf he is in terms of the past illustrious occupants of No 10.This visit is seen as a joke to most rational thinking folk. His own party will give him the kind of reception he deserves during the coming TUC and Conference pow wows! and well he deserves it.
Finally Adam, I had always admired you and your analyses on this PM - but since meeting and hitching up to his former gate-keeper, I detect pillow talk has conspired in your body language and comments to be somewhat inclined to give this man Blair the benefit of the doubt. Come on Adam - lets have the facts as they are..! My solution to the sorry saga et all ? - have a general election NOW - let the people decide NOW and get the removal vans on TV with you there to see and record it ! That is true democracy not hypocrisy which now prevails in this Government led by a charlatan. Wake up Britain...... Have a safe flight home..See you on Sunday.

[Brian Christley - North wales 11 Sep 2006 13:44:08]

Why is Blair now suggesting that we, the taxpayer, help pay for the reconstruction of the Lebanon, when just a few weeks ago we, the taxpayer, were telling Blair to prevent the destruction of the Lebanon. The US was paid to supply the weapons that destroyed Lebanon, now they should use that money to help repair it.

[Karl HUTCHINSON London 11 Sep 2006 13:19:03]

Why should anyone be interested in the mutterings of our has been Prime Minister who sided with military action that killed hundreds of innocent civilians. Best he scuttle home and get someone to spin his resignation.

[Chris Belfast 11 Sep 2006 12:59:37]

Brave man, I had visions of Anwar Sadat's end, as Tony reviewed the Palestinian guards yesterday. If he comes back in one piece no-one can accuse him of sending British troops into danger when he has been there himself.

[M Heywood 11 Sep 2006 12:26:59]

Adam, you have gone way way down in my estimation. Having listened to Mr Siniora and Tony Blair, having seen the way Mr Siniora dealt so easily with a demonstrator, having listened to two prime ministers obviously sharing the same beliefs and passions on how to bring peace and prosperity to Lebanon, how on earth could you stoop to the level of the street by talking about blood on Tony. What on earth do journalists want, peace, or endless bloodthirsty media stories.

[Khalid 11 Sep 2006 11:36:53]

The stamina and courage of such British Leaders makes me even more proud to contribute towards our nations well-being. Naturally, despite the blacking out of such True Colours of much awaited news items, the very stance so adopted by those deciding to visit Iran leaves a lot to the imagination, yet lets hope that the outcome of such Iranian trips is one that will bring a smile upon the faces of cross border realtionships. So as our Tony trots the globe in his quest to ensure that Hamas and others bring a broadband of fruit to the table, whilst Brown contemplates the return of TB, watchout "Bobby Brown-Two Can Play That Game"

[M Heywood 11 Sep 2006 11:33:46]

Mr Siniora,I believe, given the freedom of choice would like to "do business " with Israel, as Ehud Olmert would like too. Unfortunately, it is obvious for the world to see that he is frightened of Hizbollah and Syria's reactions and responses. Both Mr Siniora and Mr Abbas, are not free to deliver what both of them obviously want, a peaceful and political agreement with Israel and to look to the prosperous and peaceful future of the people they represent. Both Hizbollah and Hamas want to obliterate Israel, not live in peace side by side. As far as I am aware, no Arab country applies any pressure on either Hamas or Hizbollah to make peace, rather they send money and arms to continue the war, "the struggle", "the resistance". The Palestinians and the Lebanese are suffering and will continue to suffer until they realise the reality that Israel could be their best friend and not their worst enemy - their conduct deciding how Israel responds. Israel has shown time and time again that it is prepared to live in peace with its neighbours who have made peace with them, but will not hesitate to destroy its enemies in order to protect Israelis from the oblivion those enemies would like to send them to. The recent "defeat" of the Israelis is celebrated as a victory for Hizbollah and by extension, Hamas. It is a hollow victory, as there was no victory for the Lebanese people or the Palestinians and the Israelis, whilst having suffered casualities themselves, would be no less determined to respond in the future to intimidation, unprovoked attacks and kidnappings.

[nehad ismail, camberly surrey england 11 Sep 2006 11:19:31]

I wish Tony Blair luck in his Beirut visit. He would probably regret going there. The Lebanese people see him as a world leader who in connivance with Bush and Olmert refused to call for an immediate cease-fire. The trio were hoping that Israel would smash Hizbullah once and for all. We now know that Israel succeeded in smashing the civilian infrastructure only. Hizbulla still their almost intact.
If the reception of Blair in Beirut is cool, no one should be surprised.

[Maurice - Northumberland - Former UK 11 Sep 2006 11:00:18]

Is this the same Lebanese Government who knowingly harboured Hezbollah, watched them build bunkers armed themselves from across the border checkpoints of Lebanon, launched indiscriminate Rocket attacks into Israel, kidnapped two Israeli soldiers killing several others whilst the Lebanese Army stayed in Barracks.
Or is Blair in another Lebanon I don't know of?

[Mark London 11 Sep 2006 09:21:55]

Blair must stay as prime minister. He alone understands the threat of terrorism and the Middle East issue. Brown will probably use Blair's foreign policy as a target but Brown has no foreign policy. If he disagreed with Blair's foreign policy, he should have said earlier.