Blair Named Mideast Envoy, Brown Takes Over As Britain's PM (1/2)

It was a day of political tradition, ceremony and drama, the official transfer of power from one prime minister to another.

Returning from his meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, Gordon Brown came to his new official residency, Number 10 Downing Street, and he promised new priorities.

"I have just accepted the invitation of her Majesty the Queen to form a government, this will be a new government with new priorities."

Mr. Brown vowed to reach out beyond what he called narrow party interests.
Just hours earlier, his predecessor" class="hjdict" word="predecessor" target=_blank>predecessor, Tony Blair made his last appearance in the House of Commons.

Mr. Blair opened the session" class="hjdict" word="session" target=_blank>session on a sober note, expressing condolences to the families of three British servicemen killed in action.

"I am truly sorry about the dangers they face today in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know some they think they face these dangers in vain. I don't and I never will."

Mr. Blair has remained steadfast" class="hjdict" word="steadfast" target=_blank>steadfast in his support for intervention" class="hjdict" word="intervention" target=_blank>intervention in Afghanistan and in Iraq, even amid increasing public opposition.

Over the years, he faced many tough questions in this chamber" class="hjdict" word="chamber" target=_blank>chamber, especially from the opposition Conservative party.