DONALD Trump has claimed Tony Blair will be the interim leader of Gaza in plans which have been approved by both the US and Israel.
The US president said Blair would "lead" the board which he proposes will oversee an interim authority in Gaza.
The comments came as Trump held a press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House on Monday.
Trump said former UK prime minister Blair "wants to be on the board", which he dubbed the "board of peace".
He added that "leaders from other countries" who will also be part of the board will be named "over the next few days".
Under the plans, which have been approved by both the US and Israel, Blair would lead a body called the Gaza International Transitional Authority (Gita) that would be Gaza’s “supreme political and legal authority” for as long as five years and without any direct involvement of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The plan was branded "nothing short of insane" by the SNP, which said that if the international community has “any remaining concern, any ounce of empathy, any shred of humanity for the people of Palestine – this can never be allowed to happen”.
The National previously reported on how Blair joined Trump in a White House meeting to discuss plans for the future of Gaza in August.
Trump said that if Hamas agree to the plan, there would be an immediate ceasefire, adding that the remaining Israeli hostages must be released within 72 hours, followed by the release of Palestinian hostages.
If Hamas do not agree, Trump said Netanyahu would have his "full backing to do what you would have to do".
Meanwhile, the US president also hit out at countries "foolishly" recognising a state of Palestine, which the UK did last week.
He said: “Several countries have foolishly recognised the Palestinian state, as you know – some of our European friends, allies, good people.
“But they’re really, I think, doing that because they’re very tired of what’s going on for so many decades.”
