Will Blair quit his hopeless Mideast task?

The Middle East grapevine is buzzing with rumours that Tony Blair is ready to step down from his post as envoy of the so-called Quartet - the US, UN, European Union and Russia - engaged in the search for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Appointed with great fanfare last summer, Blair is said to have become increasingly frustrated by the unwillingness of either side to make the concessions required for any breakthrough. Although the official line remains that there is still a chance of a deal being struck before President Bush leaves office at the end of the year, it is widely accepted in diplomatic circles that the US 'road map' intended to guide the parties towards a lasting settlement is effectively dead and buried.

When Blair took on the envoy's job, installing himself and a sizeable entourage