[Timeout]

Blair said the international community should tell Syria and Iran that they should either play by the same rules as the rest of the world "or be confronted."

I'm surprised to hear this from Blair. Very happy as it means we are starting to understand what needs to be done. But surprised that he feels politically safe enough at home to make a statement of intent so clear.

Very interesting that Blair's the first one to say that. As I said last night, I believe there's a lot more going on behind the scenes than we know. Something's cooking with Washington and the other Arab states---I'd forgotton Blair visited right smack in the middle of it. I think his statement is perhaps a window into the strategy [something like: Let's get this over with once and for all]. The spotlight isn't on him so it won't get a big media splash---but they'll certainly hear it in Tehran/Damascus!

[PrinceOfCups]

As I said last night, I believe there's a lot more going on behind the scenes than we know. Something's cooking with Washington and the other Arab states...

From today's Gulf News (Dubai):

'Some Arab states supporting Israel'

Doha: Qatar's foreign minister accused some Arab states of supporting the Israeli offensive on Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah.

However, speaking to Al Jazeera television, Shaikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani declined to name any country.

"I am surprised at the Arab agreement ... for Israel to end this issue and end the presence of Hezbollah in this region. There was more or less agreement from some Arab states that Israel completes its mission before a ceasefire," he said.

"I think they were thinking of the Lebanon's general interest but forgot the Arab interest and their citizens. Some have changed their views, which is good."

"This doesn't mean that we agree with all what took place from Hezbollah, or Hamas or others ... but it would be strange to allow the completion of this mission," he said.