Blair vows to stick to task in Iraq
Tony Blair has vowed to build on the recent capture of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein by pushing ahead with the reconstruction effort.
Billions of pounds worth of investment is pouring into the country after the US-led invasion earlier this year.
Work has already begun on restoring core services such as water, electricity and telephone networks.
Mr Blair said that now Saddam had been captured, the people of Iraq were free to build a new future with the help of the international community.
“The recent capture of Saddam Hussein was a vital milestone on the road to a stable Iraq,” he said.
“In 2004 we must stick to the task,” he added. “There will be no better signal for the Middle East or the world than a democratic, prosperous Iraq replacing a tyrannical, brutal dictatorship.”
The coalition is hoping to hand over sovereignty to Iraq by the middle of next year.
