You scratch my back...: The duo give one another a friendly squeeze at the meeting in Brussels today
What IS he saying?: Hillary Clinton can't hold back the giggles as she listens to David Miliband at the Nato meeting in Brussels today
Mrs Clinton looks as though she's been bowled over completely by Mr Miliband's wit - although in reality she is just adjusting her seat
Walking the line: Something Mr Miliband says raises Mrs Clinton's eyebrows
Mrs Clinton and Mr Miliband share one final joke as they get ready to pose for a group photograph
It may be easy to see why Mr Miliband likes Mrs Clinton - as this group photo of Nato foreign ministers in Brussels today shows, she certainly stands out in a crowd
Perhaps David Miliband really is this funny.
Or, perhaps not - perhaps Hillary Clinton is, once again, taking the 'special relationship' a little too literally.
The U.S. Secretary of State collapsed in a fit of girlish giggles during a Nato meeting today at Mr Miliband's presumably witty comments.
Mrs Clinton owned up to an unlikely crush on the 'vibrant, vital, attractive, smart' British Foreign Secretary last month.
Speaking in Vogue magazine, Mrs Clinton, 62, joked with an interviewer about Mr Miliband's accent. 'Well, if you saw him it would be a BIG crush,' she said.
'I mean, he is so vibrant, vital, attractive, smart. He's really a good guy. And he's so young!'
Her remarks are an unlikely compliment for Mr Miliband, who has often been teased about his geeky image.
Former Labour spin doctor Allistair Campbell famously called him 'Brains' - not because of his formidable intellect, but for of his resemblance to the nerdish puppet character of the same name in the children's programme Thunderbirds.
Mr Miliband also seems taken with his American counterpart.
Today he seemed to take delight in teasing the former First Lady - and looked distinctly unimpressed when another man joined their tete-a-tete.
Last month he said Mrs Clinton was 'delightful to deal with one on one' and added: 'She's someone who laughs and can tease, and she's got perspective as well.'
The pair are not the first in their roles to exchange flirtatious remarks.
Mrs Clinton's remarks mirror the mutual compliments between Jack Straw and Condoleeza Rice in 2006
Mr Miliband and Mrs Clinton could perhaps be forgiven for seeking some comic relief during the meeting today.
The assembly of Nato foreign ministers were discussing the complex subject of Afghanistan - and facing calls from Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to help Barack Obama's latest surge by committing more troops.
Mr Miliband himself made an impassioned plea, telling reporters on arrival at the meeting that all alliance members must 'ask themselves whether they are doing the maximum possible ... to ensure success in Afghanistan.'
'We know the stakes are very high indeed. So this is the time for all of the international community to make sure it steps up to support the efforts of governance in Afghanistan and Pakistan to ensure stability in that crucial part of the world,' he added.
Mrs Clinton also said her piece, telling the meeting that she was looking forward to the expected support by the allies - whether military, financial or civilian - for the war effort.
Mrs Clinton sought to sell Mr Obama's revamped war strategy, which relies on major new allied contributions, not just to escalate the combat effort but also to bolster civilian functions and provide more development aid.
Allied governments need to be able to sell their publics on the idea of enlarging the war, and in particular countries in which political parties share power have to be sure 'the political stars are in alignment' before they announce new commitments, Mrs Clinton said.
The meeting came two days after Mr Obama agreed to send 30,000 more American troops to the country and asked other Nato members to also add military muscle.
Nato officials said pledges from other nations have exceeded 5,000 troops. More than 20 nations are expected to make firm commitments at a force-generation conference on Monday or following the international conference on Afghanistan in January.
However, the prospect of more German troops appeared slim.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said his country was 'ready to contribute to civilian reconstruction, especially police training (but) a debate that focuses only on 'how many troops' is in our view neither useful nor appropriate.'
Fogh Rasmussen said eight years into the Afghan mission 'it will still take more time, more commitment.'
'The fact remains that what happens in Afghanistan has a direct impact on our own security. If this international effort is to succeed - and it will - it must be a true team effort,' Fogh Rasmussen added.
----------
------------------
-----------------
RELATED POSTS:-
- Fresh violence strikes Baghdad
- Gordon brown faces critism of lying about withdrawal from Irag to British , as Obama send 30 000 troops more to Afganisthan
- UK sent extra 500 troops to Afganisthan.New wave of attacks in Pakistan and Afganisthan.
- Afghan, US troops kill 40 militants in east-Obama aids told to keep Afganisthan policy advice quiet.
- Request for more USA troops in Afganisthan if not failure will occur. Obama still thinking about it.
- Obama: No quick decision on troops to Afghan- Need for training of Afganisthan security force in view of increase insurgents
- Iran Agrees to Meeting on Nuclear Program
- Former Times man Stephen Farell freed after Afghanistan kidnap ordeal-1 Brit commando dies in raid to free NYT reporter
- Airstrikes in Afghanistan drop by almost half -"Destroying a home or property jeopardizes the livelihood of an entire family — and creates more insurg
- Chancellor Angela Merkel defends German mission in Afghanistan
- Afghan anger after scores die in Nato air strike - ISAF air strike hit fuel truck hijacked by insurgents
- NATO airstrike in Afghanistan kills up to 90
- Scandal brewing as Lord Mandelson , Cherie and host billionaire financier Lord Rothschild invite Qaddafi son to shot out at mansion. Released Lockierb
- Teenager who tried to rape girl, 11, avoids jail in 'pathetic' ruling.
- Did Young Jesus visited England for educations?
- Kicked out aged four for ‘belting’ teachers,beat other kids,sent hour 4 times in 2 months
- Margaret Thatcher returns to 10 Downing Street for the official unveiling of her new portrait -But reported banned inside scare bad publicity
- Wild Crazy unpredictable weather storm across Britain.Tornado leaves trail of destruction
- A shoplifting mother... now England soccer captain's father is caught on film selling cocaine
- Female Force to be reckoned with: Princess Diana is immortalised in a 'glowing' comic book
