RAMALLAH, May 3, 2011 (WAFA) – Quartet representative and former British prime minister, Tony Blair, Tuesday said that he had held a meeting with Israeli officials to discuss the withholding of Palestinian tax money.

He said during a visit to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah that he expects an answer from the Israelis on Wednesday.

Israel stopped making the monthly payment to the Palestinian Authority, amounting to more than $100 million, forcing a delay in payment of salaries to public employees and other payments.

Blair said that he will hold another meeting with the Israelis on Wednesday to discuss, in addition to the withholding of the money, the issue of dealing with the new Palestinian government that will be formed after the Hamas and Fatah reconciliation agreement.

Palestinian Health Minister Fathi Abu Moghli, who accompanied Blair in his visit to the Medical Complex, said that the health sector is suffering from financial difficulty because of the Israeli withholding of the money.

He commended Blair’s help in securing access to provide services in areas C of the West  Bank, which is under full Israeli control, by helping in providing medicine and medical care.

Blair praised Palestinian reforms and considered the current status of the Palestinian health service suitable for a future state.

R.Q./M.A.