FORMER British Prime minister Tony Blair has urged US diplomat Richard Haass to "keep going" in the search for a solution to contentious parades, flags and the north's troubled past.
Dr Haass led all-party talks which broke up without agreement on New Year's eve. Mr Blair's call came despite Dr Haass saying on Friday that he would not be involved in this week's talks.
Following a meeting with Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore, Dr Haass told a news conference in Dublin his formal role had ended.
But speaking following a Co-operation Ireland event in Washington, mr Blair said Dr Haass should "keep at it" and said the diplomat had come close to getting an agreement.
The former Labour leader said decommissioning had been a major stumbling block during his tenure as Prime minister.
"General De Chastelain was often in great difficulty there were three of four false starts on decommissioning, but it got resolved," he said.
"My advice to Richard is to keep going. We have got to resolve it."