Prime Minister Tony Blair will visit Kuwait on Wednesday, Downing Street has confirmed, the first trip by an allied leader to the Gulf since the outbreak of hostilities against Iraq.

Kuwait played a key logistical role in aiding the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Mr. Blair will meet the emir, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, during a two-day stay, No.10 confirmed.

Downing Street did not confirm whether the PM would visit Iraq, which was reported to be the case by Kuwait News Agency KUNA.

But there is speculation that Mr. Blair may go on a fleeting visit to the southern Iraqi city of Basra, where many British soldiers are stationed.

The Al-Qabas newspaper said last week Mr. Blair would visit Kuwait ‘to offer thanks’ for support during the war.

Rumours abound that the US president is to make a separate visit to the Arab state.

Mr. Blair is also pencilled in to visit Poland and Russia later this week before attending the meeting of G8 leaders at Evian, France on June 1.