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We'll hold Iraq nerve, says Blair We'll hold Iraq nerve, says Blair
(20 minutes later)
Britain intends "to hold its nerve" in Iraq, Prime Minister Tony Blair is to tell the Iraqi deputy prime minister during talks on the country's security. Britain intends "to hold its nerve" in Iraq, Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the Iraqi deputy prime minister during talks on the country's security.
Downing Street has denied Mr Blair was pressing Barham Salih for assurances that Iraqi forces could take over policing southern Iraq within a year. Downing Street denied that Mr Blair had pressed Barham Salih for assurances that Iraqi forces could take over policing southern Iraq within a year.
Defence Secretary Des Browne has said he thinks Iraqi forces could be capable of taking full control in 12 months.Defence Secretary Des Browne has said he thinks Iraqi forces could be capable of taking full control in 12 months.
Mr Salih said Iraqis had to "assume leadership" of their own country. Mr Salih said the UK and US could not "cut and run" from the situation.
'Quickly as possible' 'Difficult challenges'
Number 10 insisted UK forces would stay until the job was done.: "Obviously, there is a process of transition and handover going on. He added: "We understand this is not an open-ended commitment by the international community."
But Mr Salih also said the international community could not "leave the Iraqis to face these difficult challenges on our own".
Iraqi forces would assume control of the country province by province, he added.
Number 10 insisted UK forces would stay until the job was done: "Obviously, there is a process of transition and handover going on.
"Obviously we want this process to go as quickly as possible, but we will stay until the job is done.""Obviously we want this process to go as quickly as possible, but we will stay until the job is done."
Amara, in Iraq's south, has been blighted by recent violenceAmara, in Iraq's south, has been blighted by recent violence
The spokesman added: "The prime minister and Barham Salih will talk about the present situation in Iraq, but it is wrong to suggest that the prime minister is going to press him on an exit strategy."The spokesman added: "The prime minister and Barham Salih will talk about the present situation in Iraq, but it is wrong to suggest that the prime minister is going to press him on an exit strategy."
At the weekend US President George W Bush said military tactics in Iraq would keep changing to deal with insurgents, but the US would not abandon the goal of building a strong democracy.At the weekend US President George W Bush said military tactics in Iraq would keep changing to deal with insurgents, but the US would not abandon the goal of building a strong democracy.
The issue of Iraq, and possible changes in strategy have been increasingly high profile in the US ahead of the elections next month for Congress.The issue of Iraq, and possible changes in strategy have been increasingly high profile in the US ahead of the elections next month for Congress.
'Brutalised''Brutalised'
Meanwhile a US state department official who said that his country had shown "arrogance and stupidity" in Iraq has apologised for his comments.Meanwhile a US state department official who said that his country had shown "arrogance and stupidity" in Iraq has apologised for his comments.
Alberto Fernandez, who made the remarks to Arabic TV station al-Jazeera, said he had "seriously misspoken".Alberto Fernandez, who made the remarks to Arabic TV station al-Jazeera, said he had "seriously misspoken".
In the UK, Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague asked the government to give MPs a "frank" assessment of the changing situation.In the UK, Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague asked the government to give MPs a "frank" assessment of the changing situation.
There are signs we are beginning to see a tipping point where success breeds success. We are not there yet. We are beginning to win hearts and minds Major General Richard ShirreffThere are signs we are beginning to see a tipping point where success breeds success. We are not there yet. We are beginning to win hearts and minds Major General Richard Shirreff
He said a review going on in Washington should be mirrored by a "careful reassessment" in London.He said a review going on in Washington should be mirrored by a "careful reassessment" in London.
Mr Salih told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Had it not been for the US and the UK, the Iraqis would still be ruled by Saddam Hussein.
"This is a country in transition. We have been brutalised by 35 years of brutality."
As Iraqi troops took control of different provinces, reliance on the Allies would "lessen", he added.
Mr Salih also said: "We will need partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom."
Mr Browne's comments echoed those from Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells on Saturday that local forces should be able to take over within a year.Mr Browne's comments echoed those from Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells on Saturday that local forces should be able to take over within a year.
He said: "Others may describe when they think the Iraqi forces may be able to take over their responsibility... and I agree with them in terms of capacity."He said: "Others may describe when they think the Iraqi forces may be able to take over their responsibility... and I agree with them in terms of capacity."
Britain has about 7,000 troops stationed in southern Iraq around the second city of Basra.Britain has about 7,000 troops stationed in southern Iraq around the second city of Basra.
'On the front foot'
Last week the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying British troops "exacerbated" Iraq's security problems and should withdraw "some time soon".Last week the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying British troops "exacerbated" Iraq's security problems and should withdraw "some time soon".
Major General Richard Shirreff, in charge of UK forces around Basra, told Today that forces were beginning to "get on the front foot". Major General Richard Shirreff, in charge of UK forces around Basra, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that forces were beginning to "get on the front foot".
He added: "There are signs we are beginning to see a tipping point where success breeds success.He added: "There are signs we are beginning to see a tipping point where success breeds success.
"We are not there yet. We are beginning to win hearts and minds.""We are not there yet. We are beginning to win hearts and minds."
Mr Salih is due to meet a number of business leaders during his visit to London and will also have talks with Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett. Mr Salih is meeting business leaders during his visit to London and will also have talks with Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett.