British PM Tony Blair to visit Washington
Raza Mumtaz 'Pakistan Times' Executive Editor/UK Bureau Chief

LONDON (UK): British Premier Tony Blair will hold talks with US President George W Bush in Washington later this week and they will likely focus on the future withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq, officials said on Tuesday.

Blair will arrive in Washington "at the end of the week," his official spokesman said.

The spokesman said he could not confirm the precise date of the visit because of security concerns.

Bush will host a dinner before the two leaders hold a joint news conference, a spokeswoman for the prime minister's Downing Street office said.●