Tony Blair in Baghdad to boost Iraq PM

BAGHDAD, Dec 17: British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Baghdad today to lend support to the Iraqi government, which is under pressure from Washington to do more to stem worsening sectarian violence.

Blair's visit, part of a WAsia tour, takes place against a backdrop of Shi'ite-Sunni bloodshed that UN officials estimate kills more than 100 people a day and as the United States mulls a change in strategy.

Violence in Iraq since the 2003 invasion has marred Blair's final years in office, dividing the British public and his party, depleting his popularity ratings and reducing Britain's credibility in the region, analysts say.

Washington and London are reassessing their plans for Iraq.

''Firstly, it is to underline our very real support for Prime Minister Maliki and his government,'' Blair's spokesman said of the trip before his arrival. ''Second, it is to underline our support for the process of reconciliation in Iraq.'' The Iraq stopover forms part of a WAsia tour aimed at helping to break a deadlock between Palestinian factions and nudge forward the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Blair sees progress in that conflict as key to defusing regional tensions and helping to stem the Iraqi insurgency.

In turn, progress in Iraq is vital to Blair's legacy that looks set to be overshadowed by the war. He will step down next year after a decade as prime minister.

SECURITY HANDOVER

Blair will also seek Maliki's assessment of the gradual handover of security to Iraqi forces in southern Iraq.

Britain has about 7,200 troops in the south, mostly stationed in and around Basra, Iraq's second-largest city. Shi'ite factions are battling each other for control of the oil-rich area.

As more British soldiers and Iraqis die, Blair faces mounting pressure at home to withdraw troops soon but has vowed not to leave ''until the job is done'' -- that job he says being to hand over security to local Iraqi forces.

Britain has said it is confident it can hand over responsibility in Basra to the Iraqis early next year and hopes to have brought thousands of troops home by the end of 2007, although many will remain as trainers and back-up.

Blair will meet Maliki and President Jalal Talabani.

Maliki called for the return of officers from Saddam Hussein's army at a national reconciliation conference of Shi'ites yesterday, Sunni Arab and Kurdish politicians meant to halt communal bloodshed.

Iraqi officials said his call was part of a four-step plan to speed up the transfer of security from multi-national forces to Iraqis. The plan includes expanding Iraq's forces and getting them better training, equipment and weapons.

Blair flew to Iraq from Egypt and will also visit Israel, the Palestinian territories and the United Arab Emirates.

REUTERS