Tony Blair, elected to a historic third term

[Thugilex]

Tony Blair, elected to a historic third term as Britain's prime minister, has admitted the Iraq war was "a deeply divisive issue" that hurt his Labour Party.

But, speaking Friday after returning from Buckingham Palace, where Queen Elizabeth II confirmed his election victory, he said Britons were ready to "move on" and focus on the future.

Blair weathered a backlash from voters but Labour's majority in the House of Commons has been greatly slashed from 161 seats to about 60.

"I know that Iraq has been a deeply divisive issue in this country. But I also know and believe that after this election people want to move on, they want to focus on the future -- in Iraq and here," Blair said outside his Downing Street office.

"I have listened and I have learned," Blair said. "And I think I have a very clear idea of what the British people now expect from this government for a third term."

Blair was expected to announce several changes to his Cabinet later Friday