Washington - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday urged the United States and other countries to resist protectionist policies while trying to cope with the worldwide economic crisis.

Brown became the fifth British prime minister to address a joint session of the US Congress during his visit to Washington to discuss the economic downturn with President Barack Obama.

"Should we succumb to a race to the bottom and to a protectionism that history tells us that in the end protects no one?" Brown said. "No. We should have the confidence, America and Britain most of all, that we can seize the global opportunities ahead and make the future work for us."

Brown called on world governments to act to stimulate their economies, adding that the United States and Britain cannot share the burden alone in trying to revive consumption and trade. But he also defended the need to implement market regulations to prevent finance crises in the future.

"We have learned through this world downturn that markets should be free, but market should never be values free," Brown said, receiving an enthusiastic applause.

Brown met with Obama on Tuesday during his first White House visit since the new president took office January 20. The two leaders are seeking broad cooperation across the globe to respond to the bleak economic situation.

The meeting took place about a month prior to the summit of the world's 20 leading economies in London. Obama pushed a 787-billion- dollar stimulus package through Congress last month to boost the economy and create jobs.

"An economic hurricane has swept the world, creating a crisis of credit and a crisis of confidence," Brown said. "History has brought us now to a point where change is essential. We are summoned not just to manage our times but to transform them."

Brown praised US leadership in the world and the sacrifices the US soldiers made alongside British troops during two wars in Europe. He said a strong trans-Atlantic relationship is required to address the world's challenges and that the United States and Europe must overcome differences created over the last eight years.

"We should seize this moment because never before have I seen a world willing to come together so much, never before has that been more needed, and never before have the benefits of cooperation been so far reaching," Brown said.

The British prime minister said Britain will work with the United States to achieve a peace settlement in the Middle East based on a two-state solution and to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.

"And our shared message to Iran, it is simple. We are ready for you to rejoin the international community but, first, you must cease your threats and suspend your nuclear programmes," Brown said.

During their meeting on Tuesday, Brown and Obama discussed the conflict in Afghanistan, which has become a top priority for the White House. The two leaders agreed their must be a coordinated effort in the fight against the Taliban and at addressing the safe havens in the border region in Pakistan. (dpa)