Gordon Brown has backed US President George Bush as someone who shares his vision of working for freedom and justice around the world.

Speaking after the two leaders held their first face-to-face talks since Mr Brown became PM at the US Presidential retreat in Camp David, Mr Bush said that Britain and America shared important values.

Mr Brown said it was a "great honour" to hold talks with the President and "to affirm and to celebrate the historic partnership of shared purpose" between the nations.

He said he had told Mr Bush it was "in Britain's national interest that, with all our energies, we work together to address all the great challenges that we face and, most immediately, international terrorism".

"Terrorism is not a cause, it is a crime and it is a crime against humanity," he added.

Mr Bush said that the world stood at the start of a "great ideological battle" between the forces of freedom and "cold-blooded killers".

He added: "The notion of America and Britain sharing values is very important and we have an obligation, it seems to me, to work for freedom and justice around the world.

"I found him a person who shares that vision and who understands the call."

On Iraq, Mr Brown said there were "duties to discharge and responsibilities to keep" in support of the government.

He said the aim was "step-by-step" to move control to the Iraqi forces and authorities.