LONDON, May 31 (Xinhuanet) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair isto meet US President Bush in Washington next week to discuss, among other things, Africa and climate change, the two major issues designed for the upcoming G8 summit under Britain's presidency.

    "This visit is partly an opportunity for the prime minister to speak personally to President Bush about securing the progress we need to see on Africa and climate change at Gleneagles, just as hewill be speaking to each of the other G8 leaders," a Downing Street spokesman said on Tuesday.

    "They will also have a wide ranging agenda of other international issues to discuss including how we support the new Iraqi government, on continuing democratic transition and the establishment of Iraq security forces, and reviewing progress on the Middle East peace process," the spokesman said.

    Britain took on the Presidency of the G8 industralized nations at the start of this year, will host the annual summit at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland from 6-8 July.

    Blair will be in the United States on Monday and Tuesday, as part of his whirlwind visit to prepare the ground for the summit.

    He has already met Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi andplans to visit the leaders of France, Germany and Russia as well as Bush. He will speak to his counterparts in Canada and Japan by Video conference link. Enditem