Gordon Brown ... on the World

What differences do you expect the inauguration of President Obama to make to the international dynamic?

"What people will see is an administration that is preparing a major fiscal boost, a major stimulus package both now and for the future. I think it may change people's minds over what is happening in other countries as a result, particularly in Britain."

Do you think Israel is justified in taking action to stop the rocket attacks?

"I want a ceasefire; I don't think that this should continue at all. What I want is an immediate and urgent ceasefire, but we want it to be based on deliverables for the future."

Have you spoken to Tony Blair in his role as Middle East peace envoy?

"Tony's on holiday at the moment. [He] issued a statement and his work is very important to what we are doing."

If you do receive a further request for more British troops to go to Afghanistan would you be minded to agree?

"It's the strategy that matters here, isn't it? You go back to the issue of numbers - it's about how we can gradually move Afghan army and police into more control of their own affairs, and get central government moving in Afghanistan.

"As long as there are terrorists going back and forward from Pakistan to Afghanistan... then this is a huge danger for our British forces. Afghanistan's got to take more responsibility for its own affairs, but Pakistan's got to be involved more directly in the battle against this terrorist inrush into Afghanistan."