Tony Blair will receive America's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, next week.
He will be presented with the medal in a White House ceremony on January 13 by President Bush during his last week in office.
Mr Blair was given the honour in July 2003, shortly after the invasion of Iraq, but has yet to collect it. He will receive the award with former Australian prime minister John Howard and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.
Mr Blair is now Middle East peace envoy for the Quartet - Russia, the US, EU and UN.
However, the award was criticised by the Liberal Democrats. Foreign affairs spokesman Edward Davey said: "Tony Blair should be spending next week helping to fix the mess in Gaza, not receiving an award for the biggest foreign policy disaster in recent history."
Mr Blair's spokesman said: "The award reflects true courage of the men and women of the British Armed Forces who, through their service and sacrifice, have safeguarded freedom, democracy and human rights around the globe.
"As for Gaza, he has been working on this issue from day one, and remains fully engaged on finding a way forward."
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