Blair, Schroeder brush row aside

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair and his German counterpart Gerhard Schroeder opened an exhibition together in London last night, despite being divided over a fresh United Nations resolution on Iraq.

The pair traded pointed asides on the issue at the opening of the Masterpieces from Dresden Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art before heading off to a private dinner where Iraq was expected to dominate discussion.

To laughter and applause, Mr Blair declared: “It has been easily the best part of my day, the best part of any of my days actually.”