Blair plans 'farewell tour' to US and Europe

Tony Blair will use the remaining weeks of his premiership for a "farewell tour" to several countries around the world, it was reported on Thursday.

Blair, who is due to announce plans for his departure from office as Labour Party leader and prime minister on Thursday, would go to Paris for a meeting with Nicolas Sarkozy, France's President-elected on Friday.

Next week, Blair is planning his last visit to Washington to meet with US President George W Bush, his friend and ally in the Iraq war.

Later in May, Blair is expected to head to Africa to underline his commitment to the global fight against poverty.

He would visit South Africa and several other countries, reports said.

In June, Blair is expected to wind up his premiership with two crucial international meetings: the G8 world economic summit in Germany and the European Council summit in Brussels.