Amid growing concern over possible military action against Iraq, Tony Blair has met with Germany's chancellor.

The timing of the private meeting in Hannover on Saturday with Gerhard Schroeder, which follows a flurry of announcements increasing the military presence in the Gulf, will further speculation that action against Saddam Hussein is imminent.

Blair was thought likely to canvas the German leader for support ahead of the crunch meeting at the security council in two weeks' time which will decide whether Saddam Hussein has breached the United Nation's resolution.

Germany has been critical of pans for military action and its relations with Washington are luke-warm as a result.

If military action does go ahead, the prime minister will be anxious to have a strong European coalition to avoid claims of US-dominance.

It is part of a round of shuttle diplomacy between European capitals and comes ahead of a meeting with the French president at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

The British and German leaders, who enjoy a close personal relationship, were also expected to discuss more mundane European Union issues, including modernisation of the structures of the EU.

Britain, France and Spain want to see a powerful president of the European Council taking a lead in the running of an EU that has agreed to enlargement on a massive scale.

But Germany has so far failed to give its backing to such a move, giving its backing to some increased powers for the European Commission.