Blair flies out in bid to stop Ulster Assembly collapsing

TONY BLAIR will fly to Northern Ireland tomorrow in an attempt to save the peace drive from collapse, writes Charles Reiss.

He will seek to overcome the threat by Unionist leader David Trimble to resign as Northern Ireland's First Minister on 1 July unless the IRA has moved on arms decommissioning.

Mr Trimble's move could trigger the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly and return to direct rule from Westminster.

Ireland's premier Bertie Ahern will also be at tomorrow's talks. Downing Street, however, cautioned against hopes of a rapid breakthrough, adding that Mr Blair intends to be back in London by tomorrow night.

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