Blair denies 'info' on CIA flights

The British PM has denied withholding information about secret CIA flights and insisted his government had been extremely open.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair today denied withholding information about secret CIA flights and insisted his government had been extremely open about the transfer of detainees.

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Several European countries, as well as the European Parliament, are investigating claims that the CIA used European irports to transfer terror suspects to countries where they may face torture or ill treatment, a process called "extraordinary rendition."

The United States insists it doesn't breach international law, and Blair's government says it has only received three rendition requests since it came to power - all made in 1998 by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Blair has come under pressure to make a statement to parliament, however, since a leaked government memo last week revealed officials had advised him to avoid giving detailed answers on the issue.

Asked about rendition during his monthly news conference, Blair repeated that U.S. President George W. Bush's administration had made no rendition requests to Britain.

"We have looked very carefully at whether there was any request made to us and we have disclosed the circumstances in which those requests were made," said Blair. "I don't know any more than has been put out there.