Former US senator George Mitchell briefed British Prime Minister Tony Blair on the progress made during nine weeks of talks to unlock the stalled Northern Ireland peace process on Nobember 3.

Mitchell refused to disclose details of his one-hour meeting to media when he emerged from Downing Street.

"We have now completed approximately nine weeks of consultation with the parties in Northern Ireland. I have asked for an assessment which I believe is essential for the completion of the review," he said.

"I have made no secret of the fact that I would like to complete this as soon as possible," he added.

He said he would not impose any specific date as a deadline for the talks.

His meeting with Blair followed discussions in Dublin on Tuesday with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

The Northern Ireland peace talks mediator said he will meet US President Bill Clinton in Washington on Wednesday evening.

The Northern Ireland peace talks will resume on Monday and Mitchell said he planned to publish a report on his effort to break the deadlock process soon after.