Clinton advised Blair before war, reports say British leader sought help in dealing with Chilean president

British Prime Minister Tony Blair sought advice during the buildupto the war in Iraq from former President Bill Clinton, according topublished reports.

Seeking a way to break the diplomatic impasse between Europe andthe United States, Blair invited Clinton to his country home inBritain the weekend of March 8, less than two weeks before the warbegan, the Guardian of London reported. Despite the close bondbetween Blair and the Bush White House, Blair and Clinton met atleast three times to discuss the war, the report said.

Blair was fighting to persuade the Chilean President Ricardo Lagos--a key vote on the Security Council--to back a second UN resolutionsetting a new …