In quotes: Press reaction to Blair's exit

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement that he is stepping down has dominated editorials in the international press.

WASHINGTON POST - KEVIN SULLIVAN

While he led his Labour Party to three national election victories, resuscitated the British economy and helped bring peace to Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Sierra Leone, many analysts [...] agree that the charismatic prime minister will be remembered mainly for his shoulder-to-shoulder stand with Bush on Iraq.

NEW YORK TIMES - A.N. WILSON

To make an impact - and there is no doubt that Mr Blair wanted to make an impact as prime minister - he could play on only two stages: the theatre of Europe as a member of the European Union, and that of the wider world as an acolyte of the United States.

He quickly discovered that Europe was too amorphous for him to stand out beside the bigger players, especially beside the President of France, Jacques Chirac.

It was inevitable that he would emerge as the Odd Man Out of Europe, the one who supported President Bush in his Middle Eastern adventures.

THE GLOBE AND MAIL - DOUG SANDERS

For one of the youngest and most unorthodox leaders in modern history, this is a carefully calculated departure.

Today's announcement of a carefully timed retreat from office will leave Mr Blair open to attacks both from the left wing of his own party, which has never forgiven him for the Iraq war, and from the Tories, led by the self-described Blairite David Cameron.

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE - ALAN COWELL

He calls his 10 years in post "long enough" for him and country.

He announced the end with much the same flourish as, 10 years ago, he initiated a decade in power that became known as his era.

Sometimes pensive, sometimes boastful, sometimes displaying a rare humility, Tony Blair made a final pitch to his followers Thursday to accept that, whatever else, he did what he thought was right.

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - NICK ROWLEY

So what of Blair's legacy? Electorally, he has been the most successful Labour leader, the only one to have won three consecutive elections, all by landslides.

Moreover, Blair has led the most successful left-of-centre government in Europe.

For the first time France and Germany look to Britain, formerly "the sick man of Europe", as the model of how to achieve sustainable, equitable economic growth.

Blair's premiership will be remembered for four things: constitutional reforms, fundamental public service achievements, global leadership on the issues of climate change and poverty, and for the war in Iraq.