LONDON, March 7: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Sunday for talks on the thorny issue of Arab reform. "The talks focused on internal impetus for reform within the region , as well as engagement with partners from outside the area," said a spokeswoman for Blair's office following their one-on-one meeting at the British leader's country residence Chequers, west of London.

Mubarak, who met Blair with no officials present, was concluding a three-nation tour designed to warn key European partners of the dangers of a US initiative for political and economic reform in the Middle East.

Prior to meeting Blair, Mubarak received support for his opposition to the US plan from French President Jacques Chirac and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi during visits to Paris and Rome last week.

Mubarak opposes a US plan aimed at encouraging democratic and economic reform in the Arab world and other Muslim countries in a bid to deprive international extremists of the reservoir of frustration and poverty they thrive on for support. -AFP