JERUSALEM (AP):

In his new job as Mideast envoy, Tony Blair faces a difficult task complicated by Hamas' takeover of Gaza, weakness of leaders on both sides and lingering hostilities after six years of fighting.

But Blair lends instant credibility to the international community's efforts to bring peace to the region, and Israeli and Palestinian officials welcomed the choice yesterday.

The official announcement is to be made today, according to an official in Washington. Blair will represent the so-called Quartet of Mideast peace mediators, comprised of the EU, the U.S., the UN and Russia.

He is one of the rare world leaders who is considered a friend by both the Israelis and Palestinians. Israelis see him as one of the most supportive leaders on the world stage, standing by the Jewish state through years of crises and spasms of violence, while other leaders piled on criticism.

While noting that the appointment was not official, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Tuesday, "Tony Blair is a very well appreciated figure in Israel."

Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke with Blair on Tuesday evening, calling him "a true friend" of Israel and promising full cooperation if he accepts the job of Quartet envoy, the prime minister's office said in a statement.

Palestinians, too, consider Blair a friendly world figure, despite his close ties to the U.S. and his role in the war in Iraq. The British leader has a long history of support for the Palestinian cause, had good relations with the late leader Yasser Arafat and was one of the first Western leaders to endorse the "two-state solution," a Palestinian state living in peace next to Israel.

Fahmi al-Zaarer, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, said the Palestinians would welcome Blair. "We believe that Mr. Blair's efforts would help ... revive the political process."