London: Former British prime minister Tony Blair, who controversially backed the US-led invasion of Iraq, will face six hours of grilling on the issue on January 29, it was announced on Monday.
Blair, prime minister during the Iraq war in 2003, is expected to answer questions about the build-up to war and planning for its aftermath.
Blair, the highest profile figure to appear before the panel, will face a full day of questioning by the Iraq war panel, which is looking at UK policy before and after the 2003 war.
His former Downing Street chief-of-staff Jonathan Powell is now facing the committee, chaired by Sir John Chilcot.
He will be followed this week by the former defence secretary Geoff Hoon and Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who was serving as foreign secretary in 2003, BBC reported.
Last week Blair`s former director of communications Alastair Campbell appeared before the panel and denied "sexing up" a dossier which claimed Iraq could launch chemical or biological weapons within 45 minutes.
Current Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to appear after this year`s general election, likely in May.
Brown, who was Blair`s finance minister at the time, said last week that he has "nothing to hide" over the Iraq war.
PTI
