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Bush, Blair to Discuss Middle East Turmoil NewsMax.com Wires WASHINGTON -- President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are teamed up against much of the world again, this time in their refusal to criticize Israel's offensive against Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon or to call for an immediate cease-fire in the Mideast fighting.
The deteriorating crisis that has claimed hundreds of lives - mostly Lebanese civilians - was sure to dominate talks Friday between the allies.
"You know, there are a lot of common interests that they have," White House press secretary Tony Snow said Thursday. "Obviously, there will be discussions on the Middle East."
Bush and Blair come together at the White House as consultations continue on a possible international peacekeeping force to stabilize the more than 2-week-old situation and supplement the Lebanese army. State Department counselor Philip Zelikow is working in Brussels with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and there were plans for meetings at the United Nations. Story Continues Below
Speaking aboard Blair's plane as it flew to Washington on Friday, the prime minister's spokesman said Blair would seek a U.N. resolution to resolve the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas. Britain hoped a U.N. resolution could be in place by next week.
Meanwhile, two U.S. Mideast envoys were holding diplomatic talks in the region and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she would fly back to the Middle East, but did not say when.
"I do think it is important that groundwork be laid so I can make the most of whatever time I can spend there," Rice said at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she was attending a conference on Asian issues.
Snow said it was likely Bush and Blair would discuss strategies for ending the crisis, including proposals for the makeup and mandate of a peacekeeping force and for humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Lebanon.
"Their talks will definitely focus on building the momentum for a durable cease-fire and a plan for an international force," a Blair spokesman said on condition of anonymity, in keeping with British custom.
U.S. officials say European troops would likely dominate any international peacekeeping force.
"I don't anticipate American combat power, combat forces, being used in this force," Rice told reporters Thursday while traveling to Malaysia for an Asian regional conference.
With Israel signaling it is settling in for a much longer battle than had initially been expected, Bush suggested he would support the offensive for as long as it takes to cripple the Shiite Muslim militant group. The fighting began after Hezbollah crossed the border and captured two Israeli soldiers. Defying some members of his own parliament, Blair has insisted that Hezbollah must first free the soldiers and stop firing rockets into Israel, a similar position to that taken by Bush.
Israel's punishing campaign of airstrikes, artillery shelling and clashes has killed an estimated 600 Lebanese. More than 50 Israelis have died, most of them soldiers.
Many countries in Europe and the Middle East are calling for an immediate cease-fire and have deplored the impact of Israel's campaign on Lebanon. The gap between the United States and Britain and other nations has intensified some of the diplomatic strains that have existed since Bush invaded Iraq in 2003 with Blair as one of his chief international backers.
Blair comes to Washington for the second time in two months politically weakened, both by Iraq and by domestic woes in Britain.
His close alliance with Bush has made him the subject of ridicule. Blair has responded to growing calls from inside his own party to step down by saying it is too soon. But he has promised to give up the prime minister's post before the next national elections, expected by 2009.
Most recently, Blair's government has had to deal with allegations that two U.S.-chartered planes carrying missiles to Israel stopped to refuel at a Scottish airport without filing the proper paperwork for hazardous materials. The missile dispute has added to questions about what Britain gets for its "special relationship" with the United States.
And at the Group of Eight summit of world powers in St. Petersburg, Russia, Bush and Blair had an undignified luncheon chat unaware that a microphone was live. Bush's "Yo, Blair!" greeting has dogged the British leader.
From Washington, Blair was to fly to California for meetings with business leaders.
© 2006 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Editor's note: Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
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