Blair rewards Korean leader for support in Iraq

Tony Blair today rewards one of his staunchest allies on Iraq with a lavish two-day state visit to Britain.

Downing Street says South Korea's president Roh Moo-Hyun will receive "five-star" treatment during his stay. He is the first Korean president to be honoured with an official state visit, and will stay with his wife as guests of the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The trip is seen as a reward for his support over Iraq. Korea has 3,600 troops there, the third-largest contribution after the US and Britain. President Roh faces a domestic backlash over the war, fuelled in June by the beheading of translator Kim Sun-il by Iraqi militants. South Korea's continued involvement in Iraq will dominate two hours of talks with Mr Blair at No10.