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Brown makes first visit to Iraq Brown makes first visit to Iraq
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown is making his first visit to Iraq and has promised an extra £100m ($188m) over three years to help rebuild the country's economy.Gordon Brown is making his first visit to Iraq and has promised an extra £100m ($188m) over three years to help rebuild the country's economy.
After meeting UK troops near Basra, he praised their "tremendous morale" and the "work they have been doing in often very difficult circumstances".After meeting UK troops near Basra, he praised their "tremendous morale" and the "work they have been doing in often very difficult circumstances".
Mr Brown is expected to discuss Iraq's economy with senior ministers.Mr Brown is expected to discuss Iraq's economy with senior ministers.
Earlier, Tony Blair publicly agreed that violence in Iraq since the US-led 2003 invasion had been a "disaster".Earlier, Tony Blair publicly agreed that violence in Iraq since the US-led 2003 invasion had been a "disaster".
'Security and prosperity''Security and prosperity'
Mr Brown, whose visit had been kept secret, said: "What I'm saying today is we could provide an extra £100m over the next three years to help with the economic regeneration programme."Mr Brown, whose visit had been kept secret, said: "What I'm saying today is we could provide an extra £100m over the next three years to help with the economic regeneration programme."
Earlier, he said: "I am here to see and pay tribute to the important work our forces are doing and to meet with Iraqi ministers to discuss the challenges ahead.Earlier, he said: "I am here to see and pay tribute to the important work our forces are doing and to meet with Iraqi ministers to discuss the challenges ahead.
It's not difficult because of some accident in planning. It's difficult because there's a deliberate strategy Tony Blair Blair accepts Iraq 'disaster'It's not difficult because of some accident in planning. It's difficult because there's a deliberate strategy Tony Blair Blair accepts Iraq 'disaster'
"We are committed to supporting the Iraqis in building a democratic nation which brings security and prosperity to its people and plays a full part in the region and the world economy.""We are committed to supporting the Iraqis in building a democratic nation which brings security and prosperity to its people and plays a full part in the region and the world economy."
Mr Brown - the favourite to succeed Mr Blair as prime minister - is seen as keen to increase his profile outside his Treasury brief.Mr Brown - the favourite to succeed Mr Blair as prime minister - is seen as keen to increase his profile outside his Treasury brief.
Travelling with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, he will meet Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih.Travelling with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, he will meet Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih.
The UK has 7,200 troops in the south of the country, mostly stationed in and around Basra, but the city remains dangerous with factions battling each other for control.The UK has 7,200 troops in the south of the country, mostly stationed in and around Basra, but the city remains dangerous with factions battling each other for control.
'Tricky problem'
A senior British policeman advising the Iraqi force said large numbers of officers may have to be replaced to get rid of militia influence.
Assistant chief constable Dick Barton told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The police service at the moment here is a tricky problem for us.
"We are looking at them in terms of 'What can we do best for them to bring them to a good enough standard?'
"What we are not trying to do is recreate a Western police force and, quite frankly, I don't think we would ever reach that, no matter how long we stayed here. The culture difference is so great."