Barack Obama will insist the US-UK alliance is key to providing global security after a ''difficult decade'' today as he gets down to the real political business of his state visit.
The US president and Prime Minister David Cameron are to spend the morning holding in-depth talks on issues ranging from the military campaigns in Libya and Afghanistan to the Middle East, terrorism and global economic reform.
An ensuing joint press conference in Downing Street is bound to be studied intently for clues to the strength of their ''special relationship''.
However, the highlight of the day is likely to be Mr Obama's keynote speech in the historic venue of Westminster Hall this afternoon.
He is expected to tell MPs and peers that even though the world has changed significantly since the Second World War, the UK-US relationship and the broader transatlantic alliance is still the ''cornerstone of global security''.
The ''Arab Spring'' in the Middle East and North Africa reinforce that the allies' shared beliefs are ''not just relevant but essential'', he is to say.
The president will also strike an optimistic note by claiming that the world is ''turning a corner'' following a ''difficult decade''. As well as operations winding down in Iraq, the shift to Afghanistan taking control of its own security has begun, and al Qaida has been ''weakened'' by successes such as the recent killing of Osama bin Laden.
Large parts of central London were brought to a standstill yesterday as crowds gathered to welcome the president for his first state visit.
Mr Obama's armoured Cadillac, known as The Beast, was escorted by a 19-strong motorcade to Buckingham Palace, where he was greeted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, and met newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Michelle Obama was left desperately protecting her modesty during a ceremony in the palace gardens, when strong gusts of wind threatened to blow her dress up into the air.
At Westminster Abbey, following a wreath-laying at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, the First Lady was heard to remark: ''It's so nice to be back.''
Following a courtesy call on the Prime Minister and his wife Samantha, Mr Obama and Mr Cameron dropped in on a south London school. The two leaders took off their jackets and teamed up to play table tennis against two schoolboys.
But the Anglo-American team took a sound beating at the hands of 16-year-olds Jason Do and Jamiyu Mojaji at the Globe Academy in Southwark.
At a star-studded state banquet in the president's honour last night, the Queen hailed the US as Britain's ''most important ally''.
She insisted the relationship was ''tried, tested and yes - special'' and that the two nations together contributed to security and prosperity of the world.
''I firmly believe that the strength of our links and many shared interests will continue to ensure that when the United States and the United Kingdom stand together, our people and other people of goodwill around the world will be more secure and more prosperous,'' the Queen said on the first day of the US leader's first state visit to the UK.''
Responding with his own toast, Mr Obama spoke of the ''rock solid foundation'' between the two countries.
''From that day to this you have been our closest partner in the struggle to protect our people from terrorism attacks and violent extremism from around the world despite very heavy sacrifices here,'' the premier said.
''As we confront the challenges of the 21st century together we have can confidence in the partnership our two countries share, based on a rock solid foundation built during Queen Elizabeth's lifetime of extraordinary service to her nation and to the world.''
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk
The US president and Prime Minister David Cameron are to spend the morning holding in-depth talks on issues ranging from the military campaigns in Libya and Afghanistan to the Middle East, terrorism and global economic reform.
An ensuing joint press conference in Downing Street is bound to be studied intently for clues to the strength of their ''special relationship''.
However, the highlight of the day is likely to be Mr Obama's keynote speech in the historic venue of Westminster Hall this afternoon.
He is expected to tell MPs and peers that even though the world has changed significantly since the Second World War, the UK-US relationship and the broader transatlantic alliance is still the ''cornerstone of global security''.
The ''Arab Spring'' in the Middle East and North Africa reinforce that the allies' shared beliefs are ''not just relevant but essential'', he is to say.
The president will also strike an optimistic note by claiming that the world is ''turning a corner'' following a ''difficult decade''. As well as operations winding down in Iraq, the shift to Afghanistan taking control of its own security has begun, and al Qaida has been ''weakened'' by successes such as the recent killing of Osama bin Laden.
Large parts of central London were brought to a standstill yesterday as crowds gathered to welcome the president for his first state visit.
Mr Obama's armoured Cadillac, known as The Beast, was escorted by a 19-strong motorcade to Buckingham Palace, where he was greeted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, and met newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Michelle Obama was left desperately protecting her modesty during a ceremony in the palace gardens, when strong gusts of wind threatened to blow her dress up into the air.
At Westminster Abbey, following a wreath-laying at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, the First Lady was heard to remark: ''It's so nice to be back.''
Following a courtesy call on the Prime Minister and his wife Samantha, Mr Obama and Mr Cameron dropped in on a south London school. The two leaders took off their jackets and teamed up to play table tennis against two schoolboys.
But the Anglo-American team took a sound beating at the hands of 16-year-olds Jason Do and Jamiyu Mojaji at the Globe Academy in Southwark.
At a star-studded state banquet in the president's honour last night, the Queen hailed the US as Britain's ''most important ally''.
She insisted the relationship was ''tried, tested and yes - special'' and that the two nations together contributed to security and prosperity of the world.
''I firmly believe that the strength of our links and many shared interests will continue to ensure that when the United States and the United Kingdom stand together, our people and other people of goodwill around the world will be more secure and more prosperous,'' the Queen said on the first day of the US leader's first state visit to the UK.''
Responding with his own toast, Mr Obama spoke of the ''rock solid foundation'' between the two countries.
''From that day to this you have been our closest partner in the struggle to protect our people from terrorism attacks and violent extremism from around the world despite very heavy sacrifices here,'' the premier said.
''As we confront the challenges of the 21st century together we have can confidence in the partnership our two countries share, based on a rock solid foundation built during Queen Elizabeth's lifetime of extraordinary service to her nation and to the world.''
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk
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