Blair rejects G8 meeting on tsunami aid

LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair has rejected a call to hold an emergency meeting of the G8 group of wealthy nations to discuss aid to countries hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Blair told Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi that the United Nations should take the lead in relief efforts, The Scotsman reported. Britain becomes head of the G8 on Saturday.

The British government increased its aid pledge to 50 million pounds (about $96 million), and the public has donated about half that amount to private relief efforts.

"In his discussions with Mr Berlusconi this evening, the Prime Minister said he will contact the other G8 members about assistance that we might be able to give to the UN," a spokesman said Thursday night. "But we are confident that G8 members will agree that it is right that the UN should continue to take the lead role in co-ordinating the relief effort."