Middle East peace envoy Blair launches attack on Iran

19th October 2007

Tony Blair today compared the threat of Muslim extremism to the rise of fascism and warned that Britain must not waver in its fight against terrorists.

The former prime minister also criticised 'some of our own circles' for arguing that the West had provoked Islamist groups to commit terror acts.

In his first major speech since leaving office, he also condemned the 'demonic skill' deployed by Muslim extremists and singled out Iran for backing and financing terror to destabilise other countries.

At the prestigious New York charity event, Mr Blair received three standing ovations during the evening, was joined by New York governor Eliot Spitzer, mayor Michael Bloomberg and News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch. 7rarr;