Blair ‘confident’ of US backing for African aid

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair was last night preparing for crucial talks with US President George W Bush “confident” that he can win US backing for Britain’s ambitious agenda to alleviate the plight of Africa.

Mr Blair flies to Washington this week in what could be a make-or-break seven days for Britain's so-called "Marshall Plan" a reference to the US aid plan for Europe after World War II for the continent.

Mr Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown want to secure agreement on the package including a doubling of international aid at next month's G8 summit at Gleneagles.