New G20 summit could be held this year: Britain

The Group of 20 countries could hold another summit later this year following this week's gathering in London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman said Monday.

"We would not rule out having another G20 meeting this year," said the spokesman, three days ahead of the G20 summit on Thursday aimed at forging a coordinated response to the global economic slowdown.

Asked whether a G8 summit planned for July in Sardinia could be transformed into a G20 summit, he added: "Our view is that we do see the merit in further meetings of the G20 this year."

"But it is really a matter for the leaders to discuss," he said, adding: "We have always seen the London meeting as part of a process," but stressing that it was not anticipated that Britain would organise any new summit this year.

Britain remains chairman of the G20 biggest developed and developing countries, usually held at the level of finance ministers, the spokesman added.

US President Barack Obama rejected suggestions of a split with Europe on how to tackle the global financial crisis when G20 leaders meet in London this week, in an interview published Sunday.

"The most important task for all of us is to deliver a strong message of unity in the face of crisis," he told the Financial Times newspaper.