Blair to have heart op
2004-09-30 23:29
London - British Prime Minister Tony Blair is to go into hospital on Friday for what he has said is a minor heart operation.
Blair told Sky News it would have no effect on his wish to serve a third term after a general election.
"It is a minor, routine procedure," said Blair.
"It is sensible to get it fixed now," he added.
Blair, speaking as his party's conference ended in Brighton, said the condition had not affected his ability to lead the country.
Even so, he has ruled out a fourth term as PM - if Labour win.
That would mean a leadership contest before end of his third term.
He said he thought the chancellor, Gordon Brown, would make a good prime minister.
Blair will be sedated during the 2½-hour procedure, called a catheter ablation.
Still going on trip to Africa
It was needed after a recurrence in August of the heart condition he had last year, supraventricular tachycardia.
Downing Street played down the seriousness of the procedure and refused to say where it would be performed or when Blair had become ill again.
The PM will spend Friday night in hospital and rest at the weekend before returning to "normal duties" on Monday and continuing with a visit to Africa on Tuesday, said a spokesperson.
Blair became leader of the Labour Party when his predecessor, John Smith, died of a heart attack.