PM will 'work closely' with Obama

The new US President met Gordon Brown last July at Downing Street

Gordon Brown has told ministers he intends to work closely with the new US administration on issues from the Middle East to the economic crisis.

The PM told the cabinet they shared many values and policy approaches with in-coming president Barack Obama.

Conservative leader David Cameron called Mr Obama's inauguration a "hugely momentous occasion".

Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable called Mr Obama an "inspiration" with "many expectations" on him.

'Live or later'

On Tuesday morning Mr Brown told cabinet ministers he aimed to work closely with the new president on issues including the Middle East peace process, Iraq, Afghanistan and the economy. He also said Mr Obama's administration shared "a very similar view on the role of the environment".

Asked if he would be watching the event Mr Brown's spokesman said the PM was very busy but "would try to find an opportunity to listen to some or all of it... live or later in the day".

Barack Obama has said people need to work together to achieve change and I agree with him David Cameron, Conservatives

He added that the prime minister had said "the government shared many of the same values of President Obama and his team, and is adopting a very similar approach to the positions that the incoming president has been setting out on some of the big global challenges that we face".

He dismissed suggestions there were concerns about whether or not Mr Brown would not be the first European leader to meet Mr Obama.

He said what was important were shared values, not what meetings had been arranged and pointed out former French president Jacques Chirac had met President Bush before Tony Blair.

The prime minister's spokesman said Mr Brown would be writing to President Obama to congratulate him on his election and assuring him that Britain "stands ready to work very closely with his administration on many of the international challenges that we face".

Mr Brown met Mr Obama last July at Downing Street during the then presidential candidate's European tour. Mr Obama also met former PM Tony Blair and Mr Cameron on the trip.

'Many expectations'

British politicians have argued over what his election means. In the first prime minister's questions after the result was declared, Mr Cameron suggested it meant voters wanted change, while Mr Brown said he embodied "progressive" values shared by Labour.

Speaking at a party organised by the campaign group Operation Black Vote to celebrate Mr Obama's inauguration, Mr Cameron said: "It's a hugely momentous occasion.

"I think a lot will change. Barack Obama has said people need to work together to achieve change and I agree with him."

Mr Cable said: "This man is an inspiration, with many expectations upon him.

"He is asked to solve an economic crisis, a war in the Middle East, to heal divisions in America that have lasted generations. He is also asked to solve even more complicated problems, such as global warming.

"There will be people questioning his achievements but we are getting someone with a new, positive approach to seemingly intractable problems."

Huge crowds have packed Washington's National Mall to watch the new president take the oath of office.