Blair Excluded from Trump's Gaza Board Over Iraq Objections

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been excluded from a leading role on U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed board for postwar Gaza administration, following objections from several Arab and Muslim countries over his involvement in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

The decision comes amid planning for a 20-point framework unveiled by Trump in September to stabilize and rebuild the Gaza Strip after the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Blair, 72, had been the only publicly named candidate for the board, which Trump intends to chair and which would oversee transitional governance under a potential Gaza International Transitional Authority backed by the United Nations and Gulf states. Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that regional leaders expressed strong reservations about Blair's participation, citing lingering resentment from the Iraq war that toppled Saddam Hussein and led to years of instability in the region.

Trump acknowledged potential concerns in October, stating aboard Air Force One, "I've always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he's an acceptable choice to everybody." Blair had previously described the plan as "bold and...