World press reaction

'Blame for the war darkens the shine of his decade'

"Scot With Baggage Readies for Leader's Role" - the New York Times website tries to fathom Gordon Brown

"Whether through the sin of pride or genuine conviction, Tony Blair does not regret a thing. Or very little. After 10 years in power, he does somewhat regret not having modernised the public sector more quickly. Otherwise, the prime minister so detested by Britons takes every opportunity to defend his mandate, including the war in Iraq." - Le Figaro, France

"He deserves the glory, without a doubt, and there is the last of his victories, perhaps the most resonant, the peace in Ulster. But he also deserves the denigration, as the frightening reports remind him day after a day from Baghdad. His blame, voluntarily shared with Bush, is so black that it darkens the shine of his decade as prime minister. He wanted to be the best prime minister in the history of the United Kingdom, and he would have achieved it had he triumphed in his most difficult and risky judgment, the one that leads to his perdition." - El País, Spain

"Perhaps the greatest achievement of his 10 years was not even his. The decision by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, to let the Bank of England run monetary policy shaped the Blair decade as much as any. Low interest rates, a booming economy, almost full employment, buoyant tax receipts and a vibrant housing market contributed to three election victories. With his economic flank defended by Brown, Blair could do what he did best, which was to sound and look modern, visionary and progressive." - Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

"Tony Blair was unusual as a passionate British European. No major decisions in Europe were made without British involvement - and often because Blair would constructively be prepared to sacrifice British positions. The war in Iraq is especially sad considering that Blair said that he would strengthen the UN at the same time as he took part in something that is in breach of human rights law." - Göran Persson, former Swedish PM, in Aftonbladet

"Despite his best efforts to leave a legacy of social reforms and international climate accords, Blair's time in office will be forever remembered for his decision to involve Britain in the deeply unpopular Iraq war." Deutsche Welle, Germany

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