Former British P.M. gets Liberty Medal

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton praised Tony Blair's "commitment to conflict resolution" as he presented him with the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia.

Blair received the medal, an honor that includes $100,000, in a Monday evening ceremony outside the Constitution Center, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The former British prime minister joked about the irony of being honored in the city where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were drafted and signed.

Clinton said Blair exhibited a "steadfast commitment to conflict resolution" in Northern Ireland and, more recently, the Middle East. He did not mention Blair's role as President George W. Bush's strongest ally in the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Blair said freedom requires "optimism of the human spirit" as well as tolerance and "endeavor."

"To be free is to be responsible for the freedom of others," Blair said.

Blair has said he plans to use the prize money for Tony Blair Faith Foundation and the Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative.

Director Steven Spielberg was the honoree in 2009.