Blair forges new Russia link to beat terrorists

Britain and Russia have formed a working group to combat global terror, Prime Minister Blair announced tonight.

Following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Blair said its formation reflected the relationship between the two countries which was the closest it had been for ‘‘many many years’’.

The talks came as Washington announced a ‘‘substantial’’ number of Afghans had been killed when US fighter jets launched an assault on a convoy in the Tora Bora region.

Pilots believed they were attacking Taliban and al-Qaida leaders.

Marine General Peter Pace said the strike was near a village to the south-west of Tora Bora, the cave complex which American bombers had pounded until earlier this week, when the al Qaida forces which held it fled.

Mr Blair said the working group between Russia and Britain would get under way as soon as possible and allow the two countries to co-operate in defeating the ‘‘attack upon the civilised world’’.

He also warned Britain would have to remain on a ‘‘top level of vigilance’’ following the boarding of a cargo ship in the English Channel.

‘‘I cannot comment on the potential nature of the threat itself, but ... we remain on top level vigilance through these coming weeks, and even if the risk is only the potential risk, we will not hesitate to take any action that we think necessary in order to investigate any potential threat.’’

Mr Blair heaped praise on Mr Putin for his leadership in Russia and the part he had played in the coalition against terror forged since September 11.

Mr Putin, accompanied by wife Lyudmila, arrived in Britain this afternoon for two days of talks with the Premier.

The couple will stay with Mr Blair at his official country residence Chequers, in Buckinghamshire.