UK Prime Minister Tony
Blair has told the Iraqi president British troops
will stay in the country "as long as he wants them".
Speaking after talks in London, Jalal Talabani said
an early withdrawal of US and UK troops would be a
"catastrophe".
Mr Blair issued a warning to Iran not to interfere
in Iraq following claims it was supplying weapons to
insurgents.
He said devices which killed British troops looked
like those used by Iran but stressed "we cannot be
sure".
Mr Talabani denied the multinational troops'
presence in Iraq was the cause of terrorism.
And he thanked Britain for freeing his country from
the "brutal" dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
The talks came ahead of next week's crucial
referendum on a new Iraqi Constitution, which will
be followed by new elections.
This is Mr Talabani's first official visit to Europe
since he took office in April.
It comes at a time of increasing tension between
Britain and Iraq's neighbour, Iran. |
British Prime Minister Tony Blair (L) escorts Iraqi
President Jalal Talabani through the corridors of
No. 10 Downing Street. Blair warned Iran not to
interfere in Iraq after underlining suspicion that
explosives used to kill British troops there may
have come from the Islamic republic.
Photo:AFP |
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