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Obama calls for strong UK links Obama calls for strong UK links
(41 minutes later)
White House hopeful Barack Obama has said a strong transatlantic relationship is needed to deal with a wide range of world issues.White House hopeful Barack Obama has said a strong transatlantic relationship is needed to deal with a wide range of world issues.
Mr Obama said co-operation with the UK was crucial over climate change, terrorism and the economy, after talks with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.Mr Obama said co-operation with the UK was crucial over climate change, terrorism and the economy, after talks with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
He said his conversation with Mr Brown in Downing Street had been "terrific".He said his conversation with Mr Brown in Downing Street had been "terrific".
The Democratic presidential candidate is on the final part of the European leg of his tour. The Democratic presidential candidate later met Conservative leader David Cameron at the Houses of Parliament.
Mr Brown and Mr Obama talked for two hours and then took a stroll in the sunshine around Horse Guards Parade before Mr Obama spoke to reporters. Mr Obama and Mr Brown talked for two hours and then took a stroll in the sunshine around Horse Guards Parade before the Illinois senator spoke to reporters.
Heavy priceHeavy price
Mr Obama also thanked the British people for their support in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Speaking outside Downing Street, Mr Obama, who is on the final part of the European leg of his tour, also thanked the British people for their support in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I know that the troops here in Great Britain have borne a heavy price for wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan and I think the American people are grateful for all the help that has been provided," he said."I know that the troops here in Great Britain have borne a heavy price for wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan and I think the American people are grateful for all the help that has been provided," he said.
Before travelling to Downing Street, Mr Obama had a breakfast meeting with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is now the international Middle East envoy. Mr Obama spoke of a "deep and abiding affection for the British people in America and a fascination with all things British".
The Illinois senator later met Conservative leader David Cameron at the Houses of Parliament. He also spoke of a shared history and the role of the "English tradition" in shaping the US constitution.
The Downing Street talks covered a wide range of issues Mr Obama has already visited Germany, where he gave a keynote foreign policy speech in Berlin, and France where he met President Nicolas Sarkozy. Before the meeting, had a breakfast meeting with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is now the international Middle East envoy.
Mr Obama and Mr Cameron spent almost an hour talking in the Tory leader's Commons office. Shadow foreign secretary William Hague and shadow chancellor George Osborne were also at the meeting.
A spokeswoman said the conversation had focused on the economy, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq.
The Downing Street talks covered a wide range of issues
Mr Obama has already visited Germany, where he gave a keynote foreign policy speech in Berlin, and France where he met President Nicolas Sarkozy.
After flying into London, Mr Obama was greeted by the American ambassador and his wife, Robert and Maria Tuttle, before being taken to a city centre hotel.After flying into London, Mr Obama was greeted by the American ambassador and his wife, Robert and Maria Tuttle, before being taken to a city centre hotel.
In contrast to the public reception he received in Berlin and Paris, Mr Obama's London visit is being kept deliberately low key.In contrast to the public reception he received in Berlin and Paris, Mr Obama's London visit is being kept deliberately low key.
BBC News diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says there is a risk the London leg of Mr Obama's tour will look "decidedly lacklustre".BBC News diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says there is a risk the London leg of Mr Obama's tour will look "decidedly lacklustre".
While in Paris, Mr Obama said Iran should not wait for the next US president to be elected before resolving its dispute with the West.While in Paris, Mr Obama said Iran should not wait for the next US president to be elected before resolving its dispute with the West.
Returning to USReturning to US
He said Tehran should promptly accept an international call to freeze its "illicit nuclear programme".He said Tehran should promptly accept an international call to freeze its "illicit nuclear programme".
Iran insists its nuclear campaign is peaceful.Iran insists its nuclear campaign is peaceful.
Mr Obama's tour has also taken in the Middle East where he visited Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.Mr Obama's tour has also taken in the Middle East where he visited Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
After the UK, Mr Obama will return to the US where he faces Republican rival John McCain in November's presidential election.After the UK, Mr Obama will return to the US where he faces Republican rival John McCain in November's presidential election.
The latest opinion polls in the US show Mr Obama leads Mr McCain by between one and six percentage points with some polls showing the race tightening in key states.The latest opinion polls in the US show Mr Obama leads Mr McCain by between one and six percentage points with some polls showing the race tightening in key states.