If New York wants me then I'm available - Giuliani

New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani says he will talk to the city’s mayoral candidates and try to come up with a plan that would give him a continuing role in New York’s recovery from the World Trade Centre disaster.

Giuliani was not specific about whether he was seeking some kind of extension of his term, considering a run for a third term, or merely looking for a role in the administration of his successor.

‘‘I want to do something that unifies the city because I love this city,’’ said Giuliani, who is barred under the City Charter from serving a third term when his current term is up on December 31.

In yet another indication of Giuliani’s intentions, the Republican mayor contacted the Democratic speaker of the state Assembly on Wednesday, seeking support for legislation that could extend his stay in office.

Giuliani’s remarks came a day after New Yorkers voted in the primary election, handing billionaire media mogul Michael Bloomberg the GOP nomination for mayor and sending two Democrats, Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and Public Advocate Mark Green, into a runoff next month.

The mayor has been acclaimed for his steady leadership since the trade centre attack and has been urged by many New Yorkers to stay on and guide the city through the crisis.

His aides are said to be exploring a way to extend his term or lift the two-term limit altogether.

In a TV interview, Giuliani said that if New Yorkers wanted him to stay on past the end of his term, he was available.

‘‘I am open to the idea of doing it,’’ Giuliani said.

‘‘I couldn’t walk away from it and then I would feel that I was walking out on my duties and obligations if I did.’’

Various ideas were being floated about a Giuliani role.

They included such things as a three-month extension of his term, overturning term limits to allow him to seek a full third term, or some kind of undefined position that would have him in charge of recovery while someone else was mayor.

Only the state Legislature or the Democratic-led City Council can overturn term limits. While there has been support in the Republican-led state Senate, the Democratic-controlled Assembly, led by Sheldon Silver, has been cool to the idea.

‘‘While the speaker is not a supporter of term limits, he is uncomfortable changing the rules,’’ Silver spokeswoman Eileen Larrabee said.

She said Silver told Giuliani he would bring it up with Assembly members.

No date was set for such a discussion.