Brown praises "big vision" of US president-elect Obama

Feb 1, 2009, 4:06 GMT

London - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the 'big vision' of US president-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday and said he was looking forward to working with him to change the world.

Brown told The Sun newspaper there would be 'historic opportunities' to tackle the big challenges of climate change, the financial crisis, energy, disease and terrorism.

'There has never been a time that cooperation between the two countries and the rest of the world is more necessary. There has never been so many challenges that can only be met by two people working together,' said Brown.

The British leader said the bond between Britain and the US would be stronger than ever under the incoming president.

'The special relationship will be one so strong, no power on earth can ever drive us apart,' Brown said.

He said Obama had a 'big vision of how America can contribute to the long-term prosperity of the world as well as peace.'

'Whenever there is a new president and there is someone as big as this - who, 20 years ago could never have been elected by the American people - there are huge opportunities,' Brown said.