Blair meets Chirac before jetting off to New York

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair was today continuing a whirlwind round of diplomatic talks after America ordered more than 100 aircraft to bases within striking distance of Afghanistan.

Mr Blair was having breakfast talks with French president Jacques Chirac in the latest leg of his hectic shuttle mission, criss-crossing the Atlantic.

He will hear a first-hand account of the latest White House mood from Mr Chirac, who was due to return from America only shortly before meeting the British Premier.

The two leaders will discuss possible military strikes against those found directly responsible for the September 11 outrages and wider action to smash international terrorism.

Mr Blair will then fly to New York before going on to visit the White House for talks with President Bush, at the US leader’s invitation.

President Bush will address a special joint session of Congress on the terror strikes crisis after Mr Blair’s visit.

Mr Blair’s busy round of diplomatic talks continued as the US military aircraft were being sent to the Gulf in the first signs of possible action against Afghanistan after last week’s attacks.

A force of the most advanced fighters and bombers in the world, backed by spy planes and flying tankers, was ordered to fly to the American bases in the region.

They will join a massive American strike force already deployed on two aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean.

Meanwhile the British Prime Minister, who was expected to be accompanied by his wife Cherie, will meet firefighters and policemen in New York before going on to a special church service organised for the relatives of Britons caught in the World Trade Centre attacks.

Some 35 firefighters were confirmed dead in the terror strikes and their colleagues and other emergency services workers are continuing the rescue and recovery effort at the site, dubbed Ground Zero.

Mr Blair was then due to deliver a short reading at the service at St Thomas’s church in the heart of Manhattan, which will also be attended by the British ambassador to the US, Sir Christopher Meyer and the families of the missing Britons.

The Prime Minister began his round of diplomacy yesterday evening in Berlin.

German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder promised military support ‘‘if needed’’ for the international coalition being gathered together.

Mr Blair said last night that support for the coalition had been growing rather than weakening in the days since the attacks.

’’We give our total support to the people of the United States,’’ Mr Blair said in Berlin.

’’There’s a growing understanding right around the world that this is a fight that it is important to undertake and that we win.’’

After his Washington talks later today Mr Blair will fly back across the Atlantic for a special EU crisis summit in Brussels on Friday.

The inter-faith church service at the Anglican church in New York was to be held at 1.30pm.

It was to be led by Father Andrew Mead, who said it was to be a service of hope, without assuming that the missing Britons were dead.

The church’s internationally renowned all-male choir were due to sing at the 50-minute service.