Bill backs Blair as future UN chief

Former US President said UK PM would make a good head for the organisation when he leaves office.

Former US president Bill Clinton on Friday backed British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a future secretary general of the United Nations.

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Clinton told BBC television Blair would make a "good" head for the international organisation when he leaves office, as he has indicated he will before the next general election, expected by 2010 at the latest.

The pair -- who became friends during Clinton's time at the White House between 1993 and 2001 -- had discussed Blair's future and Clinton had told him there was "a lot of good you can do in the world" after leaving Downing Street.

He also predicted Blair, 52, would find "immense rewards" when he stood down, particularly from lucrative speaking engagements, books and directorships.