11/06/2004

Blair hails Iraq resolution as G8 concludes

The Prime Minister has welcomed the new UN resolution on Iraq as a "very important milestone", at a press conference after the G8 Summit.

Speaking in Georgia, USA, Mr Blair said that there is now a UN-blessed political process and a strategy for developing the Iraqi security capability. He added that Nato would assist in training Iraqi forces if the new Iraqi government requested help.

"I think where Nato comes into this is really Nato as a support, giving them the training in order that the job can be done."

"Our desire is not to have a large number of Nato troops there," he said. "I don't think that is practical."

The G8 also made clear their commitment to the Middle East Peace Process and the road map. The "Quartet" of the EU, UN, USA and Russia plan to meet later this month to agree a specific set of actions in order to get back to the road map process.

"We need to get back into the road map, and that is still the basis for progress in the Middle East," said Mr Blair.

The G8 Summit also highlighted issues affecting Africa and the world economy. The next summit will take place at Gleneagles, Scotland, in 2005.

The Prime Minister is due to attend the funeral of former US President Reagan in Washington before returning to the UK.

(gmcg)

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