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Brown and Obama 'agree on action' Brown and Obama 'agree on action'
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said the UK and the US are united in their determination to tackle the "unprecedented" recession.Gordon Brown has said the UK and the US are united in their determination to tackle the "unprecedented" recession.
At a joint news conference after two hours of talks with Barack Obama, the UK prime minister said the US president had given the world "renewed hope".At a joint news conference after two hours of talks with Barack Obama, the UK prime minister said the US president had given the world "renewed hope".
Mr Brown urged the G20 leaders to unite to "do whatever is necessary" to tackle the crisis at Thursday's summit.Mr Brown urged the G20 leaders to unite to "do whatever is necessary" to tackle the crisis at Thursday's summit.
Mr Obama said there was "enormous consensus" on what needed to be done to rescue the world economy.Mr Obama said there was "enormous consensus" on what needed to be done to rescue the world economy.
The two men insisted there was broad agreement between their two countries and the other G20 nations on what needs to be done to tackle the crisis.
'Great symmetry'
And they both played down reports about French anger the proposed reforms to the banking system do not go far enough.
Mr Brown said: "President Obama and I are agreed about the significance of this week's G20 meeting that the world is coming together to act in the face of unprecedented global financial times."
He rejected reports French President Nicholas Sarkozy was ready to walk out of Thursday's summit, telling reporters in Downing Street: "We are within a few hours of agreeing a global plan for economic recovery and reform."
G20 LONDON SUMMIT World leaders are meeting this week in London to discuss measures to tackle the downturn. See our in-depth guide to the G20 summit.The G20 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US and the EU.
Mr Obama said there had been "great symmetry" between the US and UK in their discussions on the best way to deal with the economic crisis.
"I am absolutely confident that the United States as a peer of these other countries will help to lead us through these very difficult times".
The president will also meet Tory leader David Cameron and he is due to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace.The president will also meet Tory leader David Cameron and he is due to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
G20 LONDON SUMMIT World leaders will meet later this week in London to discuss measures to tackle the downturn. See our in-depth guide to the G20 summit.The G20 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US and the EU.
Mr Obama and wife Michelle were greeted earlier in Downing Street by Gordon Brown and wife Sarah.Mr Obama and wife Michelle were greeted earlier in Downing Street by Gordon Brown and wife Sarah.
President Obama and the UK prime minister held breakfast talks as efforts continue to ensure agreement is reached at the G20 summit.President Obama and the UK prime minister held breakfast talks as efforts continue to ensure agreement is reached at the G20 summit.
Applause was audible from Downing Street staff as Mr Obama, who was making Britain the first country outside North America he has visited as president, entered the building.Applause was audible from Downing Street staff as Mr Obama, who was making Britain the first country outside North America he has visited as president, entered the building.
Tight securityTight security
Mr Brown will also hold talks at Number 10 with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese president Hu Jintao and Japanese prime minister Taro Aso as he seeks to finalise the details of the G20 communique, which has been the subject of intensive behind-the scenes negotiation over the past few weeks.Mr Brown will also hold talks at Number 10 with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese president Hu Jintao and Japanese prime minister Taro Aso as he seeks to finalise the details of the G20 communique, which has been the subject of intensive behind-the scenes negotiation over the past few weeks.
World leaders are gathering in London to discuss ways to resolve the worst financial crisis since the 1930s. The summit takes place amid tight security and police warnings of "unprecedented" levels of protest.World leaders are gathering in London to discuss ways to resolve the worst financial crisis since the 1930s. The summit takes place amid tight security and police warnings of "unprecedented" levels of protest.
Workers in London's financial district have been told to dress down and stay at home to avoid provoking demonstrators.Workers in London's financial district have been told to dress down and stay at home to avoid provoking demonstrators.
The two-day summit officially begins on Wednesday evening as the leaders from the G20, which groups the world's most powerful economies, attend a reception with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.The two-day summit officially begins on Wednesday evening as the leaders from the G20, which groups the world's most powerful economies, attend a reception with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The G20 summit will be crucial for Gordon Brown, whose reputation for economic competence has been battered by the financial crisis.The G20 summit will be crucial for Gordon Brown, whose reputation for economic competence has been battered by the financial crisis.
He has sought to lead the drive for a global approach to the crisis and the meeting is an opportunity to restore his image as a competent economic manager.He has sought to lead the drive for a global approach to the crisis and the meeting is an opportunity to restore his image as a competent economic manager.
Dinner guestsDinner guests
But it is unlikely to be smooth sailing. French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has already said France would walk out of the summit if its demands for stricter rules are not met.But it is unlikely to be smooth sailing. French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has already said France would walk out of the summit if its demands for stricter rules are not met.
As Mr Brown and Mr Obama met, French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Europe 1 radio the measures currently on the table were not acceptable to either his country or Germany and that he would not tolerate "false compromises" at the summit.As Mr Brown and Mr Obama met, French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Europe 1 radio the measures currently on the table were not acceptable to either his country or Germany and that he would not tolerate "false compromises" at the summit.
Sarah Brown is hosting a dinner for the G20 spouses at 10 Downing Street, at the same time and with the same menu as the leaders' banquet at Buckingham Palace.Sarah Brown is hosting a dinner for the G20 spouses at 10 Downing Street, at the same time and with the same menu as the leaders' banquet at Buckingham Palace.
Mrs Obama will be seated between Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.Mrs Obama will be seated between Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.
Rowling is a longstanding Labour supporter who donated £1m to the party last year while Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly was one of London's ambassadors in the successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics.Rowling is a longstanding Labour supporter who donated £1m to the party last year while Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly was one of London's ambassadors in the successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics.
Other guests will include supermodel Naomi Campbell, Martha Lane Fox, founder of the website lastminute.com and a trustee of legal action charity Reprieve, Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Bend It Like Beckham film director Gurinder Chadha, Gavin and Stacey actress actress Ruth Jones, psychologist Tanya Byron and broadcaster Emma Freud.Other guests will include supermodel Naomi Campbell, Martha Lane Fox, founder of the website lastminute.com and a trustee of legal action charity Reprieve, Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Bend It Like Beckham film director Gurinder Chadha, Gavin and Stacey actress actress Ruth Jones, psychologist Tanya Byron and broadcaster Emma Freud.
The menu has been prepared by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and will feature seasonal produce including Welsh lamb, Jersey Royal new potatoes and asparagus.The menu has been prepared by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and will feature seasonal produce including Welsh lamb, Jersey Royal new potatoes and asparagus.