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Blair accepts 'disaster' in Iraq Blair accepts 'disaster' in Iraq
(10 minutes later)
Tony Blair has publicly agreed with the opinion that the violence in Iraq since the 2003 invasion has been a disaster.Tony Blair has publicly agreed with the opinion that the violence in Iraq since the 2003 invasion has been a disaster.
The UK prime minister was responding to a question by Sir David Frost in an interview on the new al-Jazeera English-language Arabic TV channel.The UK prime minister was responding to a question by Sir David Frost in an interview on the new al-Jazeera English-language Arabic TV channel.
The Liberal Democrats have seized on his agreement, saying Mr Blair has finally accepted the enormity of his decision to go to war in Iraq. The Liberal Democrats said Mr Blair had finally accepted the enormity of his decision to go to war in Iraq.
But Downing Street has insisted that Mr Blair's views have been misrepresented. But Downing Street insisted his views had been misrepresented and that he had not made "some kind of admission".
A spokesman said Mr Blair often agreed with interviewers when he responded to their questions. 'Not accident in planning'
A spokesman said the prime minister often agreed with interviewers when he responded to their questions.
Mr Blair was challenged by Sir David over the violence in Iraq, saying that the Western intervention there had "so far been pretty much of a disaster".Mr Blair was challenged by Sir David over the violence in Iraq, saying that the Western intervention there had "so far been pretty much of a disaster".
He was simply acknowledging the question in a polite way before going on to explain his view Downing Street spokesman Brown in first visit to Iraq Nick Robinson on Blair
The prime minister replied: "It has, but you see what I say to people is why is it difficult in Iraq?The prime minister replied: "It has, but you see what I say to people is why is it difficult in Iraq?
"It's not difficult because of some accident in planning, it's difficult because there's a deliberate strategy - al-Qaeda with Sunni insurgents on one hand, Iranian-backed elements with Shia militias on the other - to create a situation in which the will of the majority for peace is displaced by the will of the minority for war." "It's not difficult because of some accident in planning.
'Disingenuous' "It's difficult because there's a deliberate strategy - al-Qaeda with Sunni insurgents on one hand, Iranian-backed elements with Shia militias on the other - to create a situation in which the will of the majority for peace is displaced by the will of the minority for war."
The interview comes as Chancellor Gordon Brown met UK troops on his first visit to Iraq, and promised an extra £100m ($188m) over three years to help rebuild the country's economy.The interview comes as Chancellor Gordon Brown met UK troops on his first visit to Iraq, and promised an extra £100m ($188m) over three years to help rebuild the country's economy.
He was simply acknowledging the question in a polite way before going on to explain his view Downing Street spokesman Brown in first visit to Iraq Nick Robinson on Blair
Commenting on the al-Jazeera broadcast, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "At long last the enormity of the decision to take military action against Iraq is being accepted by the prime minister.Commenting on the al-Jazeera broadcast, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "At long last the enormity of the decision to take military action against Iraq is being accepted by the prime minister.
"It could hardly be otherwise as the failure of strategy becomes so clear. "It could hardly be otherwise, as the failure of strategy becomes so clear."
"If the prime minister accepts that it is a "disaster" then surely Parliament and the British people who were given a flawed prospectus are entitled to an apology." 'Completely disingenuous'
Downing Street insisted it was not Mr Blair's view that the violence in Iraq had been a disaster.Downing Street insisted it was not Mr Blair's view that the violence in Iraq had been a disaster.
A spokeswoman said: "He was simply acknowledging the question in a polite way before going on to explain his view.A spokeswoman said: "He was simply acknowledging the question in a polite way before going on to explain his view.
"To portray it as some kind of admission is completely disingenuous.""To portray it as some kind of admission is completely disingenuous."
But BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Blair's agreement indicated he knew there was "simply no point any more arguing with interviewers".
"Tony Blair knows that's an argument that has already been lost," our correspondent says.
"He wishes instead to focus on the argument about who's to blame for the disaster - insurgents he insists - and what should be done now - staying there until 'the job is done' he will continue to argue."
Partnership
Mr Blair was the first guest on the Frost Over the World programme on al-Jazeera International, which launched on Wednesday this week.
In the interview he stressed the importance of progress in the Middle East peace process in winning the "war on terror".
I think when you step down as prime minister you step down Tony Blair Blair targets Mid-EastI think when you step down as prime minister you step down Tony Blair Blair targets Mid-East
But BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Blair's agreement indicated he knew there was "simply no point any more arguing with interviewers".
"Tony Blair knows that's an argument that has already been lost," he added.
"He wishes instead to focus on the argument about who's to blame for the disaster - insurgents he insists - and what should be done now - staying there until 'the job is done', he will continue to argue."
In the interview, Mr Blair stressed the importance of progress in the Middle East peace process in winning the "war on terror".
He said it would cut support for Muslim extremism and added the issue was the "most important" thing for him before he leaves office.He said it would cut support for Muslim extremism and added the issue was the "most important" thing for him before he leaves office.
He also said Syria and Iran could play a "constructive" role in the Middle East. Syria and Iran could play a "constructive" role in the Middle East, Mr Blair added, and it was absurd to suggest that talking to the countries amounted to "appeasement".
"If you are prepared to be part of the solution, there is a partnership available to you," Mr Blair said. He repeated that UK troops would remain in Iraq "for as long as the government needs us to stay".
"But at the moment - and this is particularly so in respect of what Iran is doing in supporting terrorism throughout the Middle East and acting in breach of its nuclear weapons obligations - you are behaving in such a way that makes such a partnership impossible."
He said it was completely absurd to suggest that talking to the countries amounted to "appeasement".
Mr Blair said securing progress in the Middle East would have great "symbolic importance".
"It would send a signal to the whole of the world that this was not a battle between westerners or Christians and Muslims, but it was a battle between all those who believe in tolerance, in living together in harmony, in a non sectarian future against those who want to divide us.''
And he repeated that UK troops would remain in Iraq "for as long as the government needs us to stay".
He was also asked if he would stay on as foreign secretary if the job was offered to him by his likely successor Gordon Brown.
Mr Blair said: "I think when you step down as prime minister you step down."