Blair aides move on in British foreign policy rejig

LONDON, Dec 11 (Reuters) Top aides to Tony Blair have been given new posts in a reshuffle announced today that sparked speculation Britain's prime minister is clearing the way for his successor to move in.

Blair, who came to office in 1997 and has won three straight elections, said after a revolt by some members of his ruling Labour Party this year that he would quit within 12 months. Finance minister Gordon Brown is widely tipped to take over.

The government said Blair's top foreign policy adviser Nigel Sheinwald will be Britain's next US ambassador and the prime minister's aide on European affairs, Kim Darroch, will become permanent representative to the European Union late next year.

The foreign ministry, which announced the appointments, also said John Sawers, Britain's top negotiator on matters involving Iran would become London's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York from the middle of 2007.

Sheinwald became the highest level British official to visit Damascus in years when he met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in October as part of Blair's West Asia peace drive. Sheinwald will replace David Manning, who is to retire, late next year.

REUTERS BDP KN1905