Bush heaps praise on Blair

George Bush heaped praise on Tony Blair today - describing him as one of Europe's "strong leaders".

In a glowing personal address, Mr Bush said he enjoyed his relationship with the Prime Minister and congratulated him on his vision. He added that he always enjoyed meeting Mr Blair.

But the Prime Minister failed to return the personal compliments - focusing instead on the diplomatic relationship between Europe and America.

The leaders spent the morning in private breakfast meeting in Brussels, discussing progress in Iraq, the Middle East peace process, and the importance of Nato. After the hour-long talks, Mr Bush said: "The Prime Minister is one of the strong leaders in Europe and I really enjoy my relationship with him."

Mr Blair appeared reluctant to stress the "special relationship", which riles some Labour backbenchers. The Prime Minister kept his words formal - describing the meeting as "useful and constructive".

Mr Bush's trip, the first an American president has made to the EU institutions in Brussels, is being hailed as the start of a new chapter in the relationship between Britain and Europe.

Mr Blair said it was time to put old differences about the war in Iraq aside. "This gives us an opportunity to restate for people in Europe and America the fundamental importance of this transatlantic alliance. It has been the cornerstone of our security for many, many years."

The leaders were speaking ahead of a Nato summit today at which a historic deal to share the burden of stabilising Iraq is expected to be finalised. Under the new deal, France and Germany - fierce critics of the war - will agree to support efforts to help train Iraq's new security forces. It is the first show of unity over the war since the conflict began and is a major boost for Mr Blair, sending a signal that his critics are ready to draw a line under their differences over the case for war.

Iraq's former interim prime minister Ayad Allawi today warned that the country would disintegrate unless its warring factions could be united.