Britain must “hold firm” over Falluja, says Blair
Tony Blair has told MPs that the battle for Falluja would cease immediately if the insurgents in the Iraqi city laid down their arms and agreed to take part in the elections that they were currently seeking to “wreck”.
Speaking in the House of Commons the Prime Minister said that Britain had to “hold firm, be resolute and see this through”.
“Defeat of terrorism in Iraq is defeat for this new and virulent form of terrorism everywhere,” he continued.
Mr Blair was making a statement following last week’s European Council in Brussels, which was attended by interim Iraqi prime minister Allawi.
He said EU member-states had agreed to a comprehensive package of additional EU assistance for Iraq and for the financing of the UN protection force. The meeting had reinforced his belief that the EU and the United States needed to strengthen their alliance in order to combat regional conflict, the spread of WMD and terrorism, he told the House.
Britain would maintain strong ties with both the EU and the US, he declared. “Both partnerships are vital to Britain’s national interest.”
Earlier, the Prime Minister had begun his statement by expressing his profound condolences to the families of the Black Watch troops killed and injured in the last week.
He informed MPs that Wim Kok had told the EU summit that Europe had far more to do to improve its economic performance if it was to respond to the challenges of Asia and the United States.
The council had agreed a new five-year work programme of measures in justice and home affairs, he continued, with the retention of the UK’s opt-in that had so benefited Britain in the past.
He added that Jose Barroso, the new European Commission president-designate had briefed the summit on his proposals to restructure the new commission and was confident that the new commission would take office soon.
