Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has denied a Guardian newspaper report claiming that he is working as an economic adviser to Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi.
Jordan’s Assabeel newspaper quoted Blair’s spokesperson as saying that the newspaper’s report is “nonsense”.
The Guardian published an article on Wednesday reporting that Blair had agreed to work as an economic advisor for Al-Sisi as part of a programme funded by the United Arab Emirates, noting that the programme involves “lucrative economic opportunities” for those involved. You can read the article here: (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/02/tony-blair-advise-egypt-president-sisi-economic-reform).
In response, Blair’s spokesperson said: “Tony Blair is not an official adviser to Al-Sisi,” adding that while Blair explained why it is important for Egypt, the region and the whole world that the new president and his government succeed in reforming Egypt’s economy, leading it to a better future, this has nothing to do with his own financial opportunities.
She added that neither Blair nor “any of his organisations have any interests in Egypt”.
Blair, a controversial figure in the UK for leading the country into the war on Iraq in 2003 based on false intelligence, currently works as a special envoy for the Quartet on the Middle East, which purportedly aims to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Former British ambassadors in Middle Eastern countries have recently raised criticisms against Blair’s performance in the Quartet and even demanded his removal, describing his performance in this position as “modest”.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
