BEIJING, June 28 -- Gordon Brown is Britains Prime Minister. On Wednesday Tony Blair left office with a legacy of economic prosperity overshadowed by the deeply divisive Iraq war. Queen Elizabeth II asked Gordon Brown to form a new government.

    Speaking shortly after the queen confirmed Gordon Brown as Britain's new prime minister, the ex-Treasury chief addressed reporters outside his new home and office at number 10 Downing Street.

    Brown said, "On this day I remember words that have stayed with me since my childhood and which matter a great deal to me today, my school motto: 'I will try my utmost'. This is my promise to all of the people of Britain and now let the work of change begin. Thank you."

    10 years as chancellor of the exchequer, Brown's devotion to fiscal "prudence" and his commitment to increasing aid to Africa are well known, but questions remain to be answered about what he intends to do in Iraq and more generally about his foreign policy goals.

    Early on Wednesday morning, Blair, who won three successive elections for his Labour party, was visibly emotional as he faced the House of Commons for a last time.

    Blair said, "I am truly sorry about the dangers that they face today in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know some may think that they face these dangers in vain; I don't and I never will. I believe they are fighting for the security of this country and the wider world against people who would destroy our way of life."

    Legislators gave Blair a standing ovation as he left the House of Commons, ending his ten years as the head of the British Cabinet.

    Earlier, Blair posed with his family in front of No. 10 Downing Street's iconic door before leaving for Buckingham Palace, where he offered his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II.

    (Source: CCTV.com)