President Clinton: phoned Tony Blair to congratulate him

Clinton To Address Cabinet

In a move designed to symbolise the close relations between Britain and the United States, Mr Clinton will join the Prime Minister with cameras present at the start of the Cabinet meeting and then talk to them at the end of their normal session.

Meanwhile, the two "first ladies", Cherie Blair and Hilary Clinton plan to have their own separate lunch at what will be their first meeting. The two leaders' wives will have common areas to discuss, both are top lawyers who earn high salaries.

Clinton and Blair meeting in 1996

Mr Clinton was the first world leader to congratulate Mr Blair on his election win. The President called the Labour leader on his car phone as Mr Blair was being driven to London's Royal Festival Hall in the early hours of May 2 to make his historic victory speech.

The two will be keen to discuss talks in Northern Ireland as well as other areas of mutual interest, such as education, job creation and welfare reform.

Downing Street said last night that final details of Mr Clinton's visit on Thursday had not yet been arranged, but the two leaders will also meet on Tuesday in Paris to sign a new deal between Nato and Russia.