Australia and US restate alliance

Rossi - could you do something, anything, to throw this fascist homophobe out of the office? Or is Australia just as hopelessly rigged as the US?

BBC - The US president and Australian prime minister have reaffirmed their alliance in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan after talks at the White House.

Australia's John Howard told President George W Bush Canberra was committed to supporting a lengthy war on terror.

Mr Bush said he appreciated Mr Howard's commitment of Australian troops in Iraq even as times got tough.

Correspondents say Mr Howard is held in very high regard for his unequivocal support for US foreign policy.

Mr Bush spoke of the personal friendship between the two leader - emphasising it by poking fun at his guest.

Mr Bush told reporters: "Somebody said, 'You and John Howard appear to be so close, don't you have any differences? I said, 'Yeah he doesn't have any hair."'

Mr Howard will be honoured with an official state dinner at the White House.

The Australian leader will also visit Canada and Ireland on his trip.

Read on BBC