Blair takes Concorde to see Bush

Tony Blair will fly to Washington on Concorde tonight for a coalitionbuilding dinner with US President George W Bush.

The Prime Minister will become the latest European leader to make the trip in an orchestrated bid to show that the global alliance against terrorism remains strong.

His visit follows moves by France and Germany to pledge military support for the American-led assault on Afghanistan. French President Jacques Chirac was in Washington last night meeting President Bush.

Ahead of his visit, his second since the terrorist attacks of 11 September, Mr Blair sought to boost his reputation as America's toughesttalking ally. In an interview with CNN's Larry King Live broadcast to the American public early today, he said that Afghanistan's Taliban government had "virtually merged" with Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network.

He said the only way to deal with the enemy was to "eliminate it, eradicate it". Asked about reports that Taliban leader Mullah Omar had offered talks, he said: "You don't negotiate with that kind. You just defeat them. We have to take action and shut the whole of that terrorist network down."

Mr Blair warned about the impact the Afghan campaign could have on relations between the West and Islamic countries. He said: "It is a desperately serious situation and it does overlay the whole of the relationship between the Arab world and the West."

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has asked his parliament to approve the mobilisation of 4,000 servicemen, while France has already deployed 2,000 troops.

During Mr Chirac's visit to Washington, President Bush acknowledged the contributions and said: "It is time for action. A coalition partner must do more than just express sympathy. A coalition partner must perform. All nations, if they want to fight terror, must do something."

Mr Blair's whistle-stop trip will begin immediately after Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons this afternoon. He will arrive at the White House by late evening for talks with the President, a press conference and dinner. He is expected back in London in time for tomorrow morning's Cabinet meeting.