Blair stands by Bush visit as protesters plan to take to the streets

ON the eve of George W Bush’s state visit, British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday said he stood by the decision to invite the US President to Britain, despite mounting opposition from anti-war campaigners.

Mr Blair said Britain was right to "stand firm" beside the United States in the fight against terrorism and insisted troops had not died in vain in Iraq.

His comments came as Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy gave his backing to planned protests, which are expected to bring up to 100,000 people onto the streets of London on Thursday.