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London - British Prime Minister Tony Blair Tuesday gave evidence by video link to the US inquiry into future policy options in Iraq, following his appeal to Iran and Syria to join the "push for peace."
Blair's testimony to the Iraq Study Group (ISG), headed by former US Secretary of State James Baker, was described as private.
However, officials said Blair would be repeating his call for Iran and Syria to join the search for a lasting peace in the Middle East that could also lead to a stabilization in Iraq.
But a "new partnership" with Iran would only be possible if the country stopped supporting terrorism and abandoned its nuclear ambitions, Blair said in a key policy speech in London late Monday.
The ISG is also thought to be considering encouraging Iran and Syria to take a role in bringing stability to Iraq. President Bush met the group on Monday.
But Blair also stressed there would be "no softening" of western policy towards Iran and Syria - countries once described by the US as being part of an "axis of evil."