British prime minister to visit holy places

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the head of the current session of the European Union, will begin a visit on April 19 to Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia. His visit was preceded by a tour by British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, which aroused wide debate and discontent inside Israel.

Blair's visit came in his announcement that he would spend one day in Israel and another in Gaza. Blair is expected to witness a fuss like that viewed by French President Jacques Chirac during his visit to holy places in Jerusalem two years ago.