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Blair Makes Last Visit to Iraq

PM pays goodbye call amid mortar attack, radio assault from Jimmy Carter

By Caroline Miller,  Newser Staff

Posted May 19, 2007 9:13 AM CDT

(Newser) – Tony Blair dropped in on Iraq's prime minister today, to assure him the Britain would continue to support the struggling Iraqi government even after he leaves office next month. Blair used the surpise visit to reiterate his confidence that there are "real signs of change and progress" in Iraq, despite security challenges, the Guardian reports.

A reminder of the latter came as three mortars exploded inside the Green Zone, and a fourth nearby, during Blair's visit. And back home, Britons were still reeling from former  president Jimmy Carter 's outburst against Blair on British radio: "Britain's almost undeviating support for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world," Carter said.

 Iraq's leaders.  (AP Photo/Ceerwan Aziz, Pool)
Iraq's leaders. (AP Photo/Ceerwan Aziz, Pool)   (Associated Press)
Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair listens to an interpreter during a news conference in the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, May 19, 2007. Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose premiership has been dominated by his unpopular decision to join the Iraq war, arrived here on a...
Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair listens to an interpreter during a news conference in the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, May 19, 2007. Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony...   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is greeted by his Iraqi counterpart Nouri Maliki in Baghdad Saturday, May 19, 2007. Blair flew into Baghdad Saturday for a surprise final visit to Iraq as Prime Minister, and  was due to have talks with President Jalal Talibani and Premier Nouri Malaki in the...
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is greeted by his Iraqi counterpart Nouri Maliki in Baghdad Saturday, May 19, 2007. Blair flew into Baghdad Saturday for a surprise final visit to Iraq as Prime Minister,...   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is greeted by his Iraqi counterpart Nouri Maliki in Baghdad Saturday, May 19, 2007. Blair flew into Baghdad Saturday for a surprise final visit to Iraq as Prime Minister, and  was due to have talks with President Jalal Talibani and Premier Nouri Malaki in the...
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is greeted by his Iraqi counterpart Nouri Maliki in Baghdad Saturday, May 19, 2007. Blair flew into Baghdad Saturday for a surprise final visit to Iraq as Prime Minister,...   (Associated Press)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrives in Baghdad Saturday, May 19, 2007. Blair flew into Baghdad Saturday for a surprise final visit to Iraq as Prime Minister, and  was due to have talks with President Jalal Talibani and Premier Nouri Malaki in the capital's heavily fortified Green Zone. (AP Photo/Stefan...
British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrives in Baghdad Saturday, May 19, 2007. Blair flew into Baghdad Saturday for a surprise final visit to Iraq as Prime Minister, and was due to have talks with President...   (Associated Press)
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