His first port of call was Melilla, now a hotbed of military disenchantment over Spain's restive regions.

ECONOMIST: Spain and its regions

Mr Blair was presumably flattered that Mr Putin chose Britain as his first western port of call.

ECONOMIST: Whichever way the wind blows | The

The British government is pleased that Mr Kerry made London his initial port of call on his first official trip abroad, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall.

BBC: John Kerry urges Syrian opposition to attend Rome talks