Bush lands in London
US President George W Bush arrived in the capital last night to begin his controversial three-day state visit of the UK.
Mr Bush and wife Laura landed at Heathrow Airport at around 19:30GMT yesterday evening. After being greeted by the Prince of Wales at a red carpet reception, they were quickly flown to Buckingham Palace by the presidential helicopter, Marine One.
At Buckingham Palace, the President and First Lady were welcomed by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
Given the “unprecedented” security risk from Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda network, more than 5,000 police officers will be on duty in the capital at any one time.
Over 100,000 anti-war campaigners are expected to march on London’s streets on Thursday, protesting against US foreign policy in the Middle East.
Today, Mr Bush will be formally welcomed by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Palace.
Mr Bush will then speak at the Banqueting House over the transatlantic alliance and later will meet British families who lost loved ones in the September 11th attacks in New York.
In the evening, Mr Bush and his wife will be guests of honour at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
On Thursday, Mr Bush and Mr Blair will hold talks at Downing Street. It is expected that the two leaders will hold a joint press conference at the Foreign Office.
The Stop the War coalition today will stage an alternative state procession, mimicking the President and Queen. The procession will start from Jubilee Gardens at 11:00GMT.
Mr Blair told the CBI conference on Monday: “This is the right moment for us to stand firm with the US.
“I believe terrorism to be the threat of the 21st century. Now is not the time to waver, now is the time to see it through.”
