WASHINGTON, May 11: The White House announced on Friday that the outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair would visit Washington next week and also predicted a “continuity” in Britain’s policies towards the United States despite the change in London.

“You find quite often in periods of transition that there is enormous continuity between governments,” said White House spokesman Tony snow, “precisely because the facts automatically lead themselves to certain policy conclusions.” Commenting on Mr Blair’s decision to step down, announced on Thursday, the White House described the British leader as “one of the great and most consequential prime ministers, and also longest serving prime ministers in the history of the UK.”

Later, another spokesman Scott Stanzel announced that President Bush will host Mr Blair at the White House on May 16 and 17.

“The president looks forward to continuing consultations with the prime minister on a wide range of issues, including our shared goals of strengthening democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.

Asked if he sees a change in Britain’s policy towards the Iraq war after Mr Blair’s successor Gordon Brown takes over in June, Mr Snow predicted ‘continuity” in London’s relations with Washington.

He recalled that when President Bush came to power, some predicted that Mr Blair can't work with George Bush because he was such good friends with Bill Clinton. “Well, in fact, they work very well together,” he added.

He said that as the new British prime minister takes over, he will be faced with a series of real-world facts about security based on British national interest and he will have to make the proper decisions.

President Bush and Mr Blair developed a remarkably close relationship during the US president’s six years in office, especially during the war on terror that followed the 9/11 attacks.

That friendship became even more evident in summer 2003 when the US invaded Iraq. Mr Blair delivered a powerful speech to a joint session of Congress regarding the Iraq war. “There never has been a time when the power of America was so necessary, and so misunderstood,” he declared.

“He and the president are strong friends and allies,” said White House spokesman Snow. “But also, the prime minister has demonstrated the ability to work with presidents of both (Republican and Democratic) parties and maintain a long tradition of an alliance that is of extraordinary strategic importance.”

Sean McCormack, the State department spokesperson, called Mr Blair "a good friend to the American people, a staunch defender of freedom, and a terrific leader for the United Kingdom at a time of consequence".