Blair's Labour-partij wint Britse verkiezingen (en)

Tony Blair and his Labour party have won a historic third term in government, but with a historically low majority.

The provisional figures show Labour received 36 per cent of the votes, down by almost 6 per cent and with about half the victory margin of that in the two previous votes in 1997 and 2001.

The Conservatives came second with 33 per cent and only a small gain of 0.6 per cent compared to the last elections.

The Liberal Democrats followed in third place, receiving 23 per cent - 4 per cent more than their previous result.

The news suggests Labour has achieved the lowest winning party majority in British election history.

Mr Blair said he would respond "wisely and sensibly" to the message from the citizens, pointing out "I know too that Iraq has been a divisive issue in this country but I hope now that we can unite again and look to the future - there and here", according to BBC.

Preparing for the EU presidency

Back in 10 Downing street, Mr Blair will start preparing the upcoming international agenda of his new government.

The UK will take over from the Luxembourg EU presidency on 1 July, and is planning to focus its mandate on environmental and development aid issues.

The UK will also host a G8 leaders' meeting in Scotland on 6 July, where issues such as the looming pressure on Iran and North Korea to give up their nuclear activities are likely to dominate.

Within the realm of European affairs, London will keep its eye on France in late May, where the result of a referendum on the EU constitution could influence its decision on whether to hold a similar poll in the UK.

Mr Blair had suggested earlier that a French No would mean there was no need to vote on the new treaty in the UK but then appeared to change his mind.