Bush praises 'visionary' Blair

The Middle East is set to dominate the Bush-Blair talks

George Bush has praised Tony Blair as a "visionary leader" and said they will work together to win peace in the Middle East.

The UK prime minister is the first foreign leader to visit Mr Bush who recently won another term as president.

At a joint White House press conference, Mr Bush said he would continue to strive for stability in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He made clear he wished to work with European leaders to spread democracy.

'Congratulations'

Mr Bush said the US relationship with Britain "had never been stronger" and he heaped praise on the UK prime minister as a "rock solid" ally.

Mr Blair meanwhile congratulated the US president on winning a second term.

The prime minister added that they were meeting at a "crucial time" in terms of revitalising the effort for peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.

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Mr Bush added: "We seek a democratic, independent and viable independent state for the Palestinian people.

"We are committed to the security of Israel as a Jewish state.

"These objectives - two states living side by side in peace and security - can be reached by only one path: the path of democracy, reform and the rule of law."

Earlier, former UK ambassador to the US Sir Christopher Meyer told BBC News Mr Blair is under pressure to return to the UK with "tangible evidence he has influence in this relationship".

Ex-foreign secretary Robin Cook meanwhile wrote in the Guardian newspaper that Mr Blair needed to set out a "new role with the Bush administration of candid friend rather than loyal chorus".

Peace momentum

The Middle East peace process was always expected to top the talks agenda, even before the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

There is an undoubted gamble for the prime minister in this trip The BBC's Nick Assinder Analysis: Hopes and fears for Blair's trip

Mr Blair has said he believes momentum has been lost, partly because of the US elections.

But speaking from the prime minister's plane on Thursday, BBC political correspondent James Landale said aides were playing down expectations the trip would yield any detailed proposals.

Earlier, Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "The priority is to restore that momentum - it is important to get a signal of intent."

But background work had been continuing so it was not a case of starting with a "blank page", he added.

War protests

The two leaders will also discuss progress in Iraq as the US-led assault on Falluja continues.

Away from Middle East issues, the future of the four British terror suspects still being held at Guantanamo Bay may also be on the agenda in Washington.

The UK says the men should receive a fair trial in the US or be returned to Britain.

British business leaders also want Mr Blair to raise the issue of American trade "protectionism".

And the prime minister is being urged to persuade the US to back the Kyoto agreement on tackling global warming.