Obama welcomes 'good friend' Blair to Washington
US President Barack Obama welcomed his “very good friend” Tony Blair to Washington today, 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.
Last month, UK prime minister Gordon Brown became the first European leader to receive a phone call from the freshly inaugurated president. But he 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.”
In his keynote address, the former UK prime minister gave advice to the newly installed President.
“You don’t need cheerleaders but partners, not spectators but supporters. The truest friends are those still around when the going gets toughest,” he said.
Turning to faith, Mr Blair said religion was under attack from both sides. He said it was “corroded” by extremists and assailed by non-believers.
“The extreme believers and aggressive non-believers come together in an unholy alliance,” said the former premier.
He told Mr Obama: “Should it ever be tested, I hope your faith can sustain you and your family. The public eye is not always the most congenial.”
Today’s prayer breakfast came on a day in which Mr Obama turned his attention to faith issues.
Later today he is expected to announce the creation of a Council on Faith-Based and Neighbourhood Partners – a body that will oversee the White House’s faith-based initiatives.
