Blair uses YouTube to salute 'strong leader'

Tony Blair took to the Internet yesterday to deliver his bi-lingual congratulations Nicolas Sarkozy after his presidential win this weekend .

Mr Blair posted a message on the video-sharing website YouTube, complimenting Mr Sarkozy and apologising for his own imperfect French. However, his fluent-sounding performance in the traditional language of diplomacy contrasted with the halting and accented forays into French by previous prime ministers.

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In the broadcast, the Prime Minister heaped praise on M. Sarkozy, who is known to be a great admirer of Mr Blair and visited Downing Street during the presidential campaign.

Mr Blair said: "Nicolas Sarkozy is somebody who I know well, I like him very much, I respect him.

"He is a strong leader and I know he will want to forge a good and close relationship between Britain and France." He added: "Of course, we do not always agree as you know, but when we do we can be a real force for good in the world. I think that with Nicolas Sarkozy as president there is a fantastic opportunity for Britain and France to work together in the years ahead.

"In fact, there is a whole new generation of leaders in Europe and the one issue that I know will always remain the same is that if we work constructively together ... keep the relationship strong, we do an immense amount of good."