Sound The Trumpet : Tony Blair: Hamas, Hezbollah Could Play Middle East Peace Role

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“Tony Blair: Hamas, Hezbollah Could Play Middle East Peace Role”
by NewsMax.com - Edward Pentin
September 1st, 2009

Tony Blair has called on religious leaders to play a more important role in the peace process, and said that he is personally inspired by the example of St. Francis of Assisi.

In an interview with Terrasanta.net, a Franciscan Web site, the Middle East Quartet peace envoy also said he supported the idea that Hamas and Hezbollah should be allowed to take part in peace talks, but only if they renounce violence and back a two-state solution.

“It’s certainly better to have them in the Palestinian context as part of the process,” Blair said. “The trouble is that it’s difficult to bring them in unless it’s on a basis that we’re all working towards the same end.”

He added: “The Quartet principles are that unless there’s a clear commitment to non-violence as the means of achieving their ends, and unless it’s clear that we’re all trying to get a two-state solution, then it becomes difficult to see what the purpose is in involving them in this. The divisions in Palestinian politics are an inhibition. It is better to overcome them, but you can only ever overcome them if there’s some basic agreement on the principles governing the process.”

Turning to the subject of religious leaders, the former British prime minister said they “should play a more significant role” because religion is a key factor within the context of the conflict. “If people sometimes say to me, you know, this is really nothing to do with religion, I will say to them it obviously is to do with religion because religion is part of the context and background within which this dispute has come about,” he said. “So, of course, it would help enormously, and by and large the churches do play a very positive role.”

Asked whether he was inspired by the life and example of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th- century saint and peacemaker, Blair said: “Yes, absolutely. That message is one that of course has its place, and has its place even among people who don’t necessarily share our belief or our faith.”

Art's Commentary.....Here comes the harlot church of Revelation 17. Mr. Blair is committed to drawing the religions of the world together and into the peace process, that is the activity of the harlot church of the last days.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13