British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday endorsed Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, as the country's next prime minister, saying that it would be announced next week when he steps aside.

Blair said now was the time for a new team to run Britain and Brown would make a "great prime minister."

"Within the next few weeks, I won't be the prime minister of this country," Blair told a Labor Party rally in Scotland.

Blair said "in all probability, a Scot will become prime minister of the country and that's someone who built one of the strongest economies in the world and who I've always said would make a great prime minister."

During a TV interview to mark his 10th anniversary in office, Blair also said: "I will make my position clear next week. I will say something definitive then," according to Sky news.

Blair's announcement will initiate a leadership election process that Brown seems set to win, making him prime minister until the next general election which must be held by May 2010 at the latest.

Despite Blair's 10th anniversary celebrations, a shadow hangs over his leadership with the latest poll for The Independent newspaper showing that 69 percent of people believe he will be most remembered for the war in Iraq.

About 9 percent say his relationship with U.S. President George W. Bush will be his legacy, while only 6 percent say he will be remembered for the peace process in Northern Ireland.

A total of 61 percent think he has been a good prime minister, compared to 36 percent who view him negatively.

Source: Xinhua