Blair and Bush: Among leaders paying tribute

World leaders including Tony Blair and President Bush have gathered in Normandy for commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

The prime minister joined the US president and others in France on Sunday for a ceremony paying tribute to the tide-turning invasion during the second world war.

French president Jacques Chirac was host to a series of senior figures including, for the first time, German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

The day did not take the form of a summit meeting, despite the presence of all four major leaders, as they will hold further talks at forthcoming NATO and G8 events.

However Downing Street confirmed earlier in the week that discussions could take place on the sidelines of the ceremony on issues such as Iraq and the EU constitution.

Edinburgh first minister Jack McConnell represented Scotland at the event, having first decided not to travel.

The Scots Labour leader performed a humiliating U-turn on Friday after it emerged he had initially decided to attend a St Andrews golf club dinner instead.

The decision to invite Schroeder has also caused controversy, with some critics claiming it is insensitive to victims of the war.

But the case for an act of reconciliation was considered stronger with 60 years having passed.

Representing Britain alongside the Queen, Blair took time out from a busy campaigning schedule ahead of this week's local, London and European elections.

"Together with the rest of the government, I recognise the commitment and sacrifice of all those involved in the this important event 60 years ago which was so crucial to the Allies' ultimate victory in the second world war," he wrote in this week's House Magazine.

"The events in Normandy following the D-Day landings in June 1944 must never be forgotten, and we should ensure that future generations appreciate their significance."