McCain in talks with Tony Blair

US presidential hopeful John McCain met former British prime minister Tony Blair today for talks on the Middle East.

Mr McCain, who is set to secure the Republican nomination for the presidency, is on a week-long tour of Europe and the Middle East with members of the Senate Armed Forces Committee.

A spokesman for Mr Blair, who is now an international envoy for the Middle East, said they discussed the situation in the region as well as climate change issues during their one-hour meeting in London.

Earlier, Mr McCain – a Vietnam War veteran – praised Prince Harry for serving on the frontline in Afghanistan.

“His willingness and his eagerness to serve provides an inspiration to other young men and women to serve the cause of freedom in Afghanistan,” he told The Sun.

“All of us Americans and British are proud of him. I respect and admire the Royal Family and I think those two young Princes are very good role models.”

Mr McCain, who yesterday held talks with current British prime minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron, was later due to travel to Paris to meet French president Nicolas Sarkozy.