Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been appointed to head an international organization that fights racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.

Blair’s appointment as chairman of the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation, heading a board of former European presidents and prime ministers, was announced June 4.

The appointment came a week after Blair said he will step down next month as the special Middle East peace envoy of the Quartet, the diplomatic group representing the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations. He has held that  post since 2007. — jta