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Blair rejects 'betrayal' of Iraq | Blair rejects 'betrayal' of Iraq |
(10 minutes later) | |
Pulling out of Iraq now would be a "betrayal" of the sacrifices already made by UK troops, Tony Blair has said. | Pulling out of Iraq now would be a "betrayal" of the sacrifices already made by UK troops, Tony Blair has said. |
He sidestepped growing calls for a full Commons debate on Iraq, saying he was happy to talk about it "at any time". | He sidestepped growing calls for a full Commons debate on Iraq, saying he was happy to talk about it "at any time". |
And he told MPs the strategy of only withdrawing troops when the Iraqis can "handle" security would not change. | And he told MPs the strategy of only withdrawing troops when the Iraqis can "handle" security would not change. |
"To do anything else would be a complete betrayal, not only of the Iraqi people but of all the sacrifices our armed forces have made," he said. | "To do anything else would be a complete betrayal, not only of the Iraqi people but of all the sacrifices our armed forces have made," he said. |
Speaking at prime minister's questions in the Commons, Mr Blair said the Iraqi people had the "chance of a proper functioning democracy and we should stick by them". | Speaking at prime minister's questions in the Commons, Mr Blair said the Iraqi people had the "chance of a proper functioning democracy and we should stick by them". |
Those who are part of the problem must be part of the solution Defence Minister Adam Ingram | Those who are part of the problem must be part of the solution Defence Minister Adam Ingram |
Senior MPs from all parties have called for a full Commons debate on Iraq in the wake of continuing violence and comments by army head General Sir Richard Dannatt. | Senior MPs from all parties have called for a full Commons debate on Iraq in the wake of continuing violence and comments by army head General Sir Richard Dannatt. |
Ex-Tory foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind's motion calling for a debate has been backed by SNP leader Alex Salmond, ex-Tory ministers Ken Clarke and Douglas Hogg, Lib Dems Michael Moore and Nick Harvey and former Labour minister - now independent - Clare Short. | Ex-Tory foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind's motion calling for a debate has been backed by SNP leader Alex Salmond, ex-Tory ministers Ken Clarke and Douglas Hogg, Lib Dems Michael Moore and Nick Harvey and former Labour minister - now independent - Clare Short. |
They are pushing for an all day debate on Iraq - the first for two years. | They are pushing for an all day debate on Iraq - the first for two years. |
Debate | Debate |
It follows similar calls from Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell - who wants a vote on whether troops should pull out - and shadow foreign secretary William Hague. | It follows similar calls from Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell - who wants a vote on whether troops should pull out - and shadow foreign secretary William Hague. |
A separate motion from Conservative MP, John Baron, says a debate is vital following warnings by Army chief General Sir Richard Dannatt, that the presence of British troops was exacerbating security problems in Iraq. | A separate motion from Conservative MP, John Baron, says a debate is vital following warnings by Army chief General Sir Richard Dannatt, that the presence of British troops was exacerbating security problems in Iraq. |
His motion is signed by former Labour ministers Frank Field and Kate Hoey along with Conservative and Lib Dem MPs. | His motion is signed by former Labour ministers Frank Field and Kate Hoey along with Conservative and Lib Dem MPs. |
With mounting pressure in the UK and US for a reappraisal of tactics in Iraq, Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price did secure a debate on the issue, but that was in Westminster Hall, and not the main Commons chamber. | |
Baker review | Baker review |
That debate, earlier on Wednesday, became heated with Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram branded a "disgrace" after suggesting "some would say" the anti-war movement was "pro-dictator". | |
There were shouts of "disgrace" from SNP leader Alex Salmond, Labour's Jeremy Corbyn and Plaid Cymru's Adam Price. | There were shouts of "disgrace" from SNP leader Alex Salmond, Labour's Jeremy Corbyn and Plaid Cymru's Adam Price. |
Mr Ingram also signalled a possible role for Iran and Syria in Iraq's future. | Mr Ingram also signalled a possible role for Iran and Syria in Iraq's future. |
He told MPs "those who are part of the problem must be part of the solution - otherwise they remain part of the problem". | He told MPs "those who are part of the problem must be part of the solution - otherwise they remain part of the problem". |
Meanwhile US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is among members of the Bush administration who have been speaking out to try to convince voters that success can be achieved in Iraq. | Meanwhile US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is among members of the Bush administration who have been speaking out to try to convince voters that success can be achieved in Iraq. |
President Bush's handling of the Iraq crisis has become a major issue in the elections next month for Congress, with predictions that his Republican party could lose control of the Senate and House of Representatives. | President Bush's handling of the Iraq crisis has become a major issue in the elections next month for Congress, with predictions that his Republican party could lose control of the Senate and House of Representatives. |
A review of American options is being carried out by former US Secretary of State James Baker - to be published after the 7 November elections. | A review of American options is being carried out by former US Secretary of State James Baker - to be published after the 7 November elections. |
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