Blair wins million-dollar prize for peacemaking

Former British prime minister Tony Blair has won a US$1m (€783,189) international prize for his “exceptional leadership”, it was announced today.

Blair, now a Middle East mediator, will receive one of the three gifts from the Dan David Foundation in past, present and future categories.

The foundation announced he will receive an award in the “present” category “for his exceptional leadership and steadfast determination in helping to engineer agreements and forge lasting solutions to areas in conflict.”

Mr Blair is the representative of the Quartet of Middle East peacemakers – the US, EU, UN and Russia.

A scientist credited with co-discovery of the Aids virus takes the award in the “future” category.

Three other scientists share the “past” award for work on the origin of the universe.