Thatcher praises Blair's support for US

The former Tory prime minister was speaking at a ceremony in Washington, at which she was honoured for her "pursuit of political freedom".

Lady Thatcher urged the west to fight the "twin-headed monster" of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

She said that only the US could overcome the threats, and that Britain's role was as America's staunchest ally.

'Elusive'

Addressing an audience of 800 academics and senior politicians, Lady Thatcher called Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein "psychopaths".

She said: "Evil has never been so technically difficult, never been so elusive."

Lady Thatcher, who has been advised by doctors to avoid public speaking, said she acknowledged the political differences between her and Mr Blair.

But she said she saluted Mr Blair's "strong and bold" leadership.

'Bulldog-like'

Lady Thatcher was presented with the Claire Booth Luce Award by the Heritage Foundation President's Club, a conservative think tank.

US Vice-President Dick Cheney, presenting the award, said it honoured her conservative values and fight for freedom.

Speaking at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, Mr Cheney said that apart from her "bulldog-like British tenacity" Lady Thatcher had "always been true to the end".

The Clare Boothe Luce Award was established in 1991 in memory of the former congresswoman, who died in 1987.