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Blair on surprise visit to Iraq Britain 'four-square' behind Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has arrived in Baghdad on a surprise visit. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has said Britain will stand "four-square" behind the Iraqi government in its battle to defeat terrorists.
He is holding talks with Iraq's prime minister and president as part of a tour of the Middle East. On a surprise visit to Baghdad, he also called on all countries in the Middle East to support Iraq's leaders in their quest for democracy.
He added that the operation to hand over the security of the southern city of Basra to Iraqis is going well.
But British troops would remain in Iraq "until the job is done", he said.
Mr Blair met Iraq's leaders as part of a tour of the Middle East.
At a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Nouri Maliki, Mr Blair said Britain was determined that attempts to establish democracy in the country would not be destroyed by terrorists or sectarian violence.
We will continue to support you all the way in that endeavour which is important for Iraq, important for the region and important for the world Prime Minister Tony Blair
Describing the talks with the Iraqi prime minister, Mr Blair said he had reiterated Britain's determination "to stand four-square" behind the fledgling government and the Iraqi people.
He wanted to ensure that democracy was "not destroyed by terrorism, by sectarianism, by those who wish to live in hatred rather than peace".
"And we will continue to support you all the way in that endeavour which is important for Iraq, important for the region and important for the world," he said.
Troop withdrawal
He defended plans for a gradual withdrawal of British troops from Basra in the south of the country and said it was not a change in direction.
"This isn't a change of our policy," he said. "This is our policy. Our policy is that as the Iraqi forces are capable of taking over control of the city of Basra so our forces stand back and go to a support role."
He added that there was a "very strong obligation for all countries in the region to be supportive of the (Iraqi) prime minister and his government".
Mr Blair also paid tribute to Mr Maliki's "courage" through what he described as "difficult and challenging times".
Violence
The prime minister's Iraq trip comes as gunmen staged a mass kidnapping at the office of the Iraqi Red Crescent in central Baghdad, seizing up to 30 male staff and visitors.
It also follows calls from the Iraqi prime minister for former members of Saddam Hussein's army to return to the military.
Sectarian violence is currently claiming as many as 100 lives a day and last month's report by the Iraq Study Group, led by former US secretary of state James Baker, described the situation in Iraq as "grave and deteriorating".
Baghdad is the third stop on Mr Blair's Middle East tour during which he hopes to kick-start the peace process.
He has also been to Turkey and to Egypt for talks with President Hosni Mubarak.He has also been to Turkey and to Egypt for talks with President Hosni Mubarak.
'Critical' moment
Mr Blair said earlier that the region faced a "critical moment of decision".Mr Blair said earlier that the region faced a "critical moment of decision".
Resolving the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians was crucial to stability, he said.Resolving the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians was crucial to stability, he said.
The prime minister's Iraq trip comes amid reports that gunmen wearing police uniforms had kidnapped dozens of people after storming a branch of the Red Crescent in central Baghdad.
It also follows calls from Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki for former members of Saddam Hussein's army to return to the military.
Talks
Mr Blair is expected to discuss plans to hand over the last two British-controlled provinces to local authorities in talks with Mr Maliki and President Jalal Talabani.
Ministers hope the handover will be completed by the spring.
Baghdad is the third stop on Mr Blair's Middle East tour during which he hopes to kick-start the peace process.
We recognise that for any government facing the challenges that there are in Iraq, they are huge, and the prime minister wants to show his support Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman
He flew to Baghdad from the Egyptian capital Cairo where he said it was important that the international community offered support to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.He flew to Baghdad from the Egyptian capital Cairo where he said it was important that the international community offered support to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Mr Blair said the president needed help to build his authority and his ability to raise Palestinian living standards.Mr Blair said the president needed help to build his authority and his ability to raise Palestinian living standards.
After arriving in Baghdad by RAF Hercules transport plane, the prime minister was taken to the heavily-protected Green Zone by helicopter.
Situation 'difficult'
Mr Blair last visited the country six months ago and BBC correspondent Andrew North said he will find it in a worse situation.
Sectarian violence is currently claiming as many as 100 lives a day and last month's report by the Iraq Study Group, led by former US secretary of state James Baker, described the situation in Iraq as "grave and deteriorating".
Aides said Mr Blair wanted to offer his support for Mr Maliki and his government.
But the prime minister's official spokesman said that Mr Blair recognised that the situation was "very difficult".
"We recognise that for any government facing the challenges that there are in Iraq, they are huge, and the prime minister wants to show his support," he said.
Handover plans
Mr Blair will discuss the progress of Operation Sinbad, in which British and Iraqi troops have been scouring the neighbourhoods of the city of Basra to clear them of insurgents ready for the handover to Iraqi authorities.
Speaking earlier in Cairo, Mr Blair offered words of warning on the prospect of an increased role for Iran in the region.Speaking earlier in Cairo, Mr Blair offered words of warning on the prospect of an increased role for Iran in the region.
He accused Iran of wanting to "derail" peace prospects and said it was "difficult to see" how it could be a constructive player in the region.He accused Iran of wanting to "derail" peace prospects and said it was "difficult to see" how it could be a constructive player in the region.
And speaking in the Turkish capital Ankara, Mr Blair had said nothing was more important in the Middle East and the rest of the world than the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.And speaking in the Turkish capital Ankara, Mr Blair had said nothing was more important in the Middle East and the rest of the world than the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
We have just swapped the icy cold of the central Turkish plain for the dusty heat of north Africa BBC correspondent James Landale Middle East tour diaryWe have just swapped the icy cold of the central Turkish plain for the dusty heat of north Africa BBC correspondent James Landale Middle East tour diary
He believes the most important thing is to establish "a fully functioning authority" which will "start to create the structures on the Palestinian side that then allow a negotiation for peace with Israel to go forward".He believes the most important thing is to establish "a fully functioning authority" which will "start to create the structures on the Palestinian side that then allow a negotiation for peace with Israel to go forward".
The prime minister also said he was a "strong supporter" of Turkey's bid to join the European Union.The prime minister also said he was a "strong supporter" of Turkey's bid to join the European Union.
He said it could play an important role as part of an "arc of moderation" in the Muslim world and as a bridge between Europe and the region.He said it could play an important role as part of an "arc of moderation" in the Muslim world and as a bridge between Europe and the region.
Mr Blair will also go to Israel, the Palestinian territories and the United Arab Emirates during his visit.Mr Blair will also go to Israel, the Palestinian territories and the United Arab Emirates during his visit.