Second day of talks for Blair and Putin

Britain's prime minister Tony Blair is holding a second day of talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The two men are again putting Afghanistan and the war on terrorism and Russia's relationship with Nato at the top of their agenda.

So far, the talks have brought about the formation of a working group to combat global terrorism.

The pair are also discussing missile defence, Chechnya and events in the Middle East at the Prime Minister's official country residence, Chequers.

Mr Blair has praised Mr Putin for the part he had played in the coalition against terror in the wake of September 11.

He said the close relationship their two countries had would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

The British PM added the inauguration of the new provisional Afghan government was a reflection of how much had been achieved since the terrorist attacks.

He said: "We will support them for the long term but it is their country, it is their future and our role is to help the people in Afghanistan to build a fairer and better future there - that future controlled and governed by the people there."

Mr Blair also praised Russia's support for military and diplomatic action in the UN.

He added: "It is perhaps a measure too of how relations between our countries have strengthened that we can say that co-operation on intelligence matters since September 11 has been unprecedentedly close."