BRITAIN: The British government will decide within weeks if Britain is to send thousands more troops to Iraq, the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, said yesterday.
He also said he hoped many British soldiers would return home within a year after securing peace. But he warned that Iraq was entering the most dangerous stage in its transformation with terrorist groups prepared to do anything to disrupt the handover of power on June 30th.
The Defence Secretary, Mr Geoff Hoon, said last week that 370 more soldiers would join forces in Basra, bringing the total UK commitment to 8,900. Commanders had asked for reinforcements because of increasing attacks on British forces.
Mr Blair said a decision on sending more troops was imminent. He insisted it had not been put off because of the damage such a decision could do to the Labour vote at next month's local and European elections, on June 10. "It is simply you need to make sure you get this decision right."
Speaking on BBC1's Breakfast with Frost Mr Blair said he expected a significant improvement in security over the coming months.
Mr Blair also refused to publicly endorse Gordon Brown as his successor but praised him as "a tremendous asset". Mr Blair said he was still "absolutely up for" his job as premier and decisions on his successor would have to wait. Asked to endorse Mr Brown he said: "These are decisions for the future. But I have always made it clear the high regard I have for him.
"It has been a great partnership, he has been a brilliant chancellor. He is a tremendous asset to the party and to the country."