Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair will visit Washington next week, the White House said on Friday. President Bush will host Blair on Wednesday and Thursday and the two are expected to discuss "a wide range of issues." They include "our shared goals of strengthening democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan, advancing peace and security in the Middle East, preventing Iran from obtaining the means to develop nuclear weapons, ending the genocide in Darfur, and promoting free and fair trade." The announcement comes a day after Blair said he will stand down as Britain's prime minister and Labour Party leader after a new leader is confirmed by a party conference, which is expected around the end of June. Blair has endorsed Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to replace him.