Labour MPs and peers have given outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair a
steel-string acoustic guitar as a leaving present.
Mr. Blair held his last meeting with the Parliamentary Labour Party in
the Commons on Monday, saying his successor Gordon Brown would be a "great
leader".
The PM is a keen guitarist and a former member of a band.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who is also stepping down, was
given a stand for holding drinks decanters.
Mr. Blair told MPs and peers that Labour must maintain its discipline
and continue to occupy the centre ground of politics.
Blair leaves office Wednesday after 10 years in power, handing over to
his Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown who succeeded him as head of
the Labour Party.
According to the Financial Times, the four major players in the Mideast
peace process, including the European Union, United Nations, Russia and
the United States agreed on Blair as their new Mideast envoy when they met
Tuesday.
The official announcement of the Quartet's decision was to be made
Wednesday, a senior U.S. official said.
President Bush previously was reported to strongly supported Blair for
the new job, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed support for
the idea that Blair could play a role in the Middle East.
