Tony Blair is to fly to Washington next month to make a rare address to the joint houses of Congress.

While in the American capital, the prime minister will meet with president Bush to discuss Iraq and the Middle East.

The invitation to speak to a joint session of the House and Senate on July 17 was made by the Republican Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

A spokesman for Hastert said: "We don't have these [joint sessions] very often. It would be done to honour Mr Blair for his leadership and support during the war in Iraq."