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Brown and Bush in talks at No 10 Bush and Brown's warning to Iran
(about 1 hour later)
US President George Bush has met Prime Minister Gordon Brown for formal talks at Downing Street, on the second day of his two-day visit to the UK. Gordon Brown and President George Bush have warned Iran to accept their "offers of partnership" or face tough sanctions and international isolation.
The two discussed issues including Iraq and Afghanistan, Burma and Zimbabwe and oil and food prices. They are currently holding a press conference. The UK prime minister said he wanted to maintain a dialogue with Tehran, but if Iran ignores UN resolutions then sanctions would be intensified.
President Bush arrived at No 10 after breakfast talks with ex-prime minister Tony Blair, now a Middle East envoy. Europe would take action to seize overseas assets of Iran's biggest bank and impose new oil and gas sanctions.
The trip is part of Mr Bush's final European tour before he leaves office. The two were speaking at a press conference after talks in London.
The trip is part of Mr Bush's European tour - although he dismissed reports that it would be his last before leaving office as "speculation".
In their talks on Monday the two leaders discussed issues including Iraq and Afghanistan, Burma and Zimbabwe and oil and food prices.
Iran's nuclear ambitionsIran's nuclear ambitions
President Bush and Mr Brown discussed what action could be taken on the global economy, including rising fuel and food prices and the credit crunch. They discussed what action could be taken on the global economy, including rising fuel and food prices and the credit crunch.
Mr Brown, who became prime minister a year ago, and President Bush, who leaves office in six months' time, discussed Afghanistan, with Mr Brown announcing at the start of the press conference that there would be an increase in British troop numbers. The prime minister said their message to the Iranians was they did not have to choose a "path of confrontation" and Britain would do "everything possible" to maintain dialogue with Tehran.
I have absolutely no problem how Gordon Brown is managing the Iraqi effort President Bush They face serious isolation and the people who are suffering are the Iranian people President Bush class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7456551.stm">UK to boost Afghan troops class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7456731.stm">PM - give Ireland time
UK Defence Secretary Des Browne will make a Commons statement giving details of the changes at 1530 BST - it is expected that that more specialist personnel are to be deployed there. But he said if it ignored UN resolutions, they would intensify sanctions.
Iran has been accused of not co-operating with the UN over its nuclear programme, amid fears it is enriching uranium to use in weapons.
Mr Brown said Britain would urge Europe to impose "further sanctions" on Iran and Europe would take action to seize the overseas assets of the country's biggest bank and impose new sanctions on oil and gas.
"I will repeat that we will take any necessary action so that Iran is aware of the choice it has to make to start to play its part as a full and respected member of the international community - or face further isolation."
Troop numbers
President Bush thanked Mr Brown for his "strong statement" and added: "They face serious isolation and the people who are suffering are the Iranian people.
"We have no qualms with the Iranian people. As a matter of fact, we want the Iranian people to thrive, it's in our interests that there be a hopeful society, it's their government who's denying them their rightful place in the world."
I have absolutely no problem how Gordon Brown is managing the Iraqi effort President Bush In Pictures: Bush visit
He said pressure was necessary to "solve this problem diplomatically" - but added: "Iranians must understand, however, that all options are on the table."
Mr Brown, who became prime minister a year ago, and President Bush, who leaves office in six months' time, also discussed Afghanistan, with Mr Brown announcing there would be an increase in British troop numbers.
Mr Brown described the US president as a "true friend of Britain".Mr Brown described the US president as a "true friend of Britain".
'Artificial timetable'
President Bush praised Mr Brown for being "tough on terror" and said it was in "all our interests" to help people in Afghanistan and Iraq.President Bush praised Mr Brown for being "tough on terror" and said it was in "all our interests" to help people in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"You have been strong in Afghanistan and Iraq, and I appreciate it," he told Mr Brown.
He also thanked the prime minister for strong words on Iran and Zimbabwe - Mr Brown had said Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe must not be allowed to "steal" the election.He also thanked the prime minister for strong words on Iran and Zimbabwe - Mr Brown had said Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe must not be allowed to "steal" the election.
And he dismissed reports of a split between the UK and US on troop numbers in Iraq as "typical". "He's left more troops in Iraq than initially anticipated and like me, we will be making our decisions based on conditions on the ground ... without an artificial timetable." class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYUnless he comes on bended knees begging for forgiveness, I don't think it will achieve very much - just wasting more of the US taxpayers' money.Jon, Switzerland class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4936&edition=1&ttl=20080616103956">Send us your comments
After the press conference in Downing Street, Mr Bush and Mr Brown will travel to Stormont, Belfast, for talks with Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and his deputy, Martin McGuinness. And he dismissed reports of a split between the UK and US on troop numbers in Iraq as "typical".
On Sunday Mr Bush and his wife, Laura, dined with Mr Brown and his wife, Sarah, at Downing Street, alongside about 20 guests, including three leading British historians. "He's left more troops in Iraq than initially anticipated and like me, we will be making our decisions based on conditions on the ground ... without an artificial timetable."
Windsor Castle After the press conference in Downing Street, Mr Bush and Mr Brown are travelling to Stormont, Belfast, for talks with Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and his deputy, Martin McGuinness.
The president's arrival in London was met by several hundred protesters who gathered in Parliament Square. There were a number of scuffles as police officers tried to prevent a march to Downing Street.The president's arrival in London was met by several hundred protesters who gathered in Parliament Square. There were a number of scuffles as police officers tried to prevent a march to Downing Street.
HAVE YOUR SAYUnless he comes on bended knees begging for forgiveness, I don't think it will achieve very much - just wasting more of the US taxpayer¿s money.Jon, SwitzerlandSend us your comments
The police said at least 10 officers received minor injuries and 25 people were arrested - three people have since been charged.
On Sunday Mr Bush and his wife Laura also had a 45-minute tea meeting with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle. billed as a "private and informal" visit between "old friends".
Protesters clashed with police in WhitehallProtesters clashed with police in Whitehall