LONDON, July 13: Tony Blair received an advance copy on Tuesday of a high-level report into British intelligence on Saddam Hussein's weaponry, a deeply unwelcome reminder of the the invasion that has so damaged his premiership.
Officials said Mr Blair saw the report at lunchtime, giving him almost a day longer than his opponents to digest the result of five months of inquiry by Lord Butler, a former top civil servant.
It is likely to be uncomfortable reading for a leader who took his country into war against negative public opinion and may cost him dearly in two elections on Thursday in which a large Muslim vote could turn against him.
The report will be published on Wednesday and Mr Blair will respond with a statement to parliament, hoping it will help him draw a line and refocus on domestic politics.
"With the history of Saddam ... we are better, safer, more secure without him in office," Mr Blair told a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
He urged reporters to wait for the report before judging it but added: "With the transfer of sovereignty a couple of weeks ago, you can feel the situation changing (in Iraq)." -Reuters
