Blair Backs Brown

"I'm absolutely delighted to give my full support to Gordon as the next leader of the Labour Party and prime minister and to endorse him fully," Blair told reporters.

"I think he's got what it takes to lead the Labour Party, and indeed the country, with distinction. He's an extraordinary and rare talent and it's tremendous if it is put at the service of the nation, as it now can be."

"He's shown, perhaps as the most successful chancellor in our country's history, that he's got the strength, the experience and the judgment to make a great prime minister."

Blair, who announced on Thursday that he will stand down on June 27, has until now declined formally to back Brown, with whom his relations have long been strained.

Blair says Brown can make a difference

On Friday he said of Brown: "I know he's absolutely determined to drive the modernization of the country forward in order to meet the challenges of the coming decade."

"I also believe, as someone who's known him for over 20 years as a friend and a colleague, that he can make a real difference to this country, for the better and for the good."

"And so I wish him well. I'm delighted to support him and endorse him fully."

Brown is almost certain to succeed Blair, as he is expected to face just a token challenge from the left wing of the center-left Labour Party.

Brown has already received assurances from the United States, Britain’s main ally, that the "special relationship" will continue if he becomes prime minister.

Rice gives Brown US assurance

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Friday that Washington would continue to work extremely closely with London under Brown.

Hailing Blair as a tremendous visionary, she said the partnership between Britain and the United States would endure under his successor.

"I think the relationship will be very close, in part because Britain and the United States are such key allies," Rice told BBC radio. "The bonds with Prime Minister Blair have been forged through some of the most difficult times, through the time of 9/11, through the time of the attacks on London, through Afghanistan and Iraq and Northern Ireland and those are bonds of friendship that come from having been through some of the toughest circumstances.

"Britain and America will always be friends and I know that we'll work very, very well with Gordon Brown when he becomes prime minister."