Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Tuesday paid tribute to Bob Hawke after the former prime minister congratulated him as he broke Hawke's record and became Australia's second longest serving prime minister.

Howard has served as Australia's prime minister for 3,207 days, or eight years nine months and 11 days.

His serving period is second only to Robert Menzies, founder of the Liberal Party who served more than 16 years.

Hawke called Howard last week to congratulate him.

On Tuesday, Hawke said he is not sad that Howard broke his record.

"No, not sad, it's a fact of life," Hawke told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio.

"I recognize it and I congratulate John Howard on his achievement," he said.

He said he believes Howard is the best operator of the Liberal Party.

Howard said he would like to thank Hawke for his comments.

"Respect across the political divide of Australia has not always been plentiful," the prime minister told reporters in Sydney, Australia's largest city.

"But I hope it can be said about our relationship that despite our obvious and strongly expressed differences on a lot of issues we each respect the contribution that the other has made to public life," said Howard.

"And I certainly respect very much the great contribution that (Hawke) made to public life as prime minister of Australia," he said.

Source: Xinhua