Blair pledges to maintain strong relationship with Bush in second term

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair last night congratulated George Bush on his election victory and said he intended to maintain his strong relationship with the president in his second term.

Mr Blair, who spoke by phone to Mr Bush earlier yesterday following his election win, made clear that he will press the president to make peace in the Middle East, a key priority of the next four years, alongside the war on terror.

He urged other European leaders to rebuild bridges with America after the damage to transatlantic relations caused by the Iraq war.