Blair to visit Beirut next week-Lebanese official

BEIRUT, Sep 6 (Reuters) British Prime Minister Tony Blair will visit Beirut on Monday for talks with Lebanese leaders on a UN truce between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas, a Lebanese official said today.

''Mr. Blair will discuss the Israeli blockade on Lebanon and the repercussions of the war,'' the official, who asked not to be identified, said.

Blair's Downing Street office said the prime minister planned to visit the Middle East shortly, but declined to give further details.

Blair came under fire at home during the 34-day war for lining up with the United States in refusing to back Lebanon's demands for an immediate ceasefire.

REUTERS SBA KP2159