President Barack Obama has welcomed his "very good friend" Tony Blair to Washington as the former prime minister became the first leading British politician to meet the recently inaugurated head of state.
Mr Obama described Mr Blair as an example of what "dedicated leadership can accomplish" at a faith-based event in the capital.
Gordon Brown last month became the first European leader to receive a phone call from the new president. But Mr Brown has yet to hold a face-to-face meeting with Mr Obama following his presidential swearing-in on January 20th.
Mr Blair was in Washington to deliver the keynote speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.
After the address, Mr Obama said: "I want to thank my good friend Tony Blair for coming today.
"He has been an example to so many people around the world of what dedicated leadership can accomplish."