Brown looking for ally in next US president

He said in a news conference with Bush on Thursday that the special relationship between the United States and Britain will remain strong when the United States has a new president in January.

In their joint appearance, Bush and Brown denied that relations had suffered since former British Prime Minister Tony Blair left office last year.

Earlier, Brown sat down individually with the candidates, Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, for 45-minute meetings. Â

If Brown prefers one candidate over another, he would not say. "It is for Americans to decide who their president is going to be," Brown said. But he added he was convinced that "the relationship between America and Britain will remain strong, remain steadfast, that it will be one that will be able to rise to the challenges of the future."

It was Obama’s first meeting with Brown. McCain met Brown last month during a visit to London, while Clinton and Brown have known each other since her years as first lady to former President Bill Clinton.

The relationship between Brown and Bush has been arms length, in contrast with the bond between Bush and Blair. Blair’s chumminess with Bush, who is highly unpopular in Britain, contributed to his drop in popularity. Brown has been more wary.

But on Thursday, he seemed to be making a special effort to align himself with the U.S. leader. He had effusive praise for Bush, gave him support on Iraq and Iran and even shared some gentle joking. The British leader said they had had an "excellent meeting" and said "the bond between our two countries is stronger than ever."

"The world owes President George Bush a huge debt of gratitude for leading the world in our determination to root out terrorism and to ensure that there is no safe haven for terrorism and no hiding place for terrorists," Brown said. "As Tony Blair said, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the American people and with President Bush."

Bush made an effort, too. When a British reporter asked Brown, "Some people would suggest that the special relationship is a little less special than it was under Mr. Brown’s predecessor. Is that true or false?" Bush interjected with a forceful answer. "False," he said. "Our relationship is very special."

But ties between the two leaders also had been complicated by Browns decision to draw down British troops in Iraq until he put on hold a reduction in troop numbers from about 4,000 to 2,500. It had been due to begin within weeks but was delayed after a recent spike in violence in the oil-rich southern city of Basra. Brown says it would remain suspended until Iraqi security forces show progress in driving out militias.

Bush went out of his way to praise the contributions, and to honor the sacrifices, of British troops in Iraq. He commented on the "brilliance" of British helicopter crews during recent fighting to support an Iraqi offensive in Basra.

Brown said Iraq, as well as Afghanistan, where British troops also serve alongside the U.S. soldiers and Marines, consumed much of the discussion between the two leaders in the Oval Office.

The two also touched on efforts to strengthen the international financial system and jump-start global trade talks.

Brown said he would support Bush’s pursuit of more sanctions against Iran aimed at persuading it to halt its nuclear program. He said he is talking to European leaders about extending European sanctions.

Brown and his wife, Sarah, were returning to the White House in the evening for an intimate dinner with the Bushes in the residence.