This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6160626.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Brown makes first visit to Iraq Brown makes first visit to Iraq
(30 minutes later)
Chancellor 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.Chancellor 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 was expected to discuss Iraq's economy with senior ministers. Mr Brown also discussed 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: "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."
Earlier, he said he was in Iraq to "see and pay tribute to the important work our forces are doing", and to meet Iraqi ministers to discuss the "challenges ahead".
We are committed to supporting the Iraqis in building a democratic nation Gordon BrownWe are committed to supporting the Iraqis in building a democratic nation Gordon Brown
"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," he said. The chancellor - 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 met Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh.
Travelling with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, he also met Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh. Mr Brown told members of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment: "I know you are called the Tigers, and you are proud and courageous tigers and everyone in Britain is very proud of you.
Meeting members of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, who were on the final day of a seven-month tour of duty, the Chancellor wished them a "restful Christmas".
The soldiers described a recent mission, codenamed Operation Cobra, to track down a commander of the Mahdi Army Shia militia.
Mr Brown told the men: "I know you are called the Tigers, and you are proud and courageous tigers and everyone in Britain is very proud of you.
"I hope you will have a restful Christmas.""I hope you will have a restful Christmas."
Police 'problem'Police 'problem'
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 Iraq, mostly stationed in and around Basra, but the city remains dangerous with factions battling for control.
A senior British policeman advising the Iraqi police force has said large numbers of officers may have to be replaced to get rid of militia influence. Assistant Chief Constable Dick Barton - advising the Iraqi police force - said large numbers of officers would have to be replaced to reduce militia influence.
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'
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. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the "culture difference" was making reform difficult.
"We are looking at them in terms of 'What can we do best for them to bring them to a good enough standard?' Earlier, Mr Blair was questioned by Sir David Frost in an interview on the al-Jazeera English-language Arabic TV channel about the situation in Iraq.
"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." When asked whether the violence had "so far been pretty much of a disaster", the prime minister replied: "It has, but you see what I say to people is why is it difficult in Iraq?
Earlier, Mr Blair was asked by Sir David Frost in an interview on the new al-Jazeera English-language Arabic TV channel about the situation in Iraq. "It's not difficult because of some accident in planning."
'Deliberate strategy' Those involved in the insurgency had a "deliberate strategy" which had to be overcome, Mr Blair added.
When asked whether violence in Iraq since 2003 had "so far been pretty much of a disaster", the prime minister replied: "It has, but you see what I say to people is why is it difficult in Iraq? The Liberal Democrats said the prime minister had now accepted the enormity of his decision to go to war in Iraq.
"It's not difficult because of some accident in planning. But Downing Street insisted his views had been misrepresented.
"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 Liberal Democrats said Mr Blair had finally accepted the enormity of his decision to go to war in Iraq.
But Downing Street insisted his views had been misrepresented and that he had not made "some kind of admission".
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."