USN President Barack Obama has welcomed his "very good friend" Tony Blair to Washington as the former prime minister became the first leading British politician to meet the recently sworn-in head of state.
Mr Obama described Mr Blair as an example of what "dedicated leadership can accomplish" at a faith-based event in the capital.
Gordon Brown last month became the first European leader to receive a phone call from the freshly inaugurated president. But the PM has yet to hold a face-to-face meeting with Mr Obama following his presidential swearing-in on January 20.
Mr Blair was in Washington to deliver the keynote speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.
After the address, Mr Obama said: "I want to thank my good friend Tony Blair for coming today.
"He has been an example to so many people around the world of what dedicated leadership can accomplish."
