Blair calls for 'complete renaissance' on Middle East policy

Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for a radical rethink of foreign policy in order to combat an 'arc of extremism' in the Middle East.

Speaking in a major speech to the World Affairs Council in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Mr Blair said of the current conflict in Lebanon: "It is still possible even now to come out of this crisis with a long-term prospect for the cause of moderation in the Middle East succeeding. But it would be absurd not to face up to the immediate damage to that cause which has been done.

"We will continue to do all we can to halt the hostilities. But once that has happened, we must commit ourselves to a complete renaissance of our strategy to defeat those that threaten us. There is an arc of extremism now stretching across the Middle East and touching, with increasing definition, countries far outside that region.

"To defeat it will need an alliance of moderation, that paints a different future in which Muslim, Jew and Christian; Arab and Western; wealthy and developing nations can make progress in peace and harmony with each other.

"My argument to you today is this: we will not win the battle against this global extremism unless we win it at the level of values as much as force, unless we show we are even-handed, fair and just in our application of those values to the world."

Mr Blair said that the policy rethink was required in order to deal with a war of a "completely unconventional kind". He said: "It can only be won by showing that our values are stronger, better and more just, more fair than the alternative. Doing this, however, requires us to change dramatically the focus of our policy.

"Unless we re-appraise our strategy, unless we revitalise the broader global agenda on poverty, climate change, trade, and in respect of the Middle East, bend every sinew of our will to making peace between Israel and Palestine, we will not win. And this is a battle we must win."

Commenting on Iran and Syria, Mr Blair said that if they continued to support terrorism, they would be confronted.

However, Mr Blair avoided calling for an immediate ceasefire during his speech.

(KMcA)