Britain's Blair in Baghdad to boost Iraq PM

BAGHDAD, Dec 17 (Reuters) British Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged his support for the Iraq government during a visit to Baghdad today and urged neighbouring states to support reconciliation and security in the country.

Blair's visit comes amid persistent Shi'ite-Sunni killing, with UN officials estimating more than 100 people are killed a day, and as the United States considers a change in strategy.

Blair said he and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki discussed the need for national reconciliation, building up Iraq's security forces and ''the importance of the support of all countries in the region for this process.

The goal was for the ''Iraq government and the Iraqi people can take full responsibility for their affairs'', he told a news conference with Maliki in the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad.

''Most of all I reiterated our determination to stand full square behind you and the Iraqi people in assuring that your democracy is not destroyed by terrorism, sectarianism, by those who wish to live in hatred rather than in peace,'' Blair said.

Asked about concerns Syria and Iran were not doing enough to help in Iraq, he noted: ''There's a very strong obligation which is set out in the UN resolution for all countries in the region to be supportive of the Iraqi prime minister and his government ... and not undermine them.'' PERSISTENT VIOLENCE Violence in Iraq since the US-led 2003 invasion has marred Blair's final years in office, dividing the public and his party, depleting his popularity ratings and reducing Britain's credibility in the region, analysts say.

Blair's Iraq stopover is part of a WAsia tour aimed at helping 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 when he steps down next year after a decade as prime minister.

''This is our policy: as the Iraqi forces are capable of taking over the security in Basra, our forces will stand back and take a support role,'' he said. ''That is by agreement between ourselves and the democratically elected Iraqi government.'' Britain has about 7,200 troops in the south, mostly in and around Basra. Shi'ite factions there are battling each other for control of the oil-rich area.

As more British soldiers and Iraqis die, Blair faces more pressure at home to withdraw troops soon but has vowed not to leave ''until the job is done''.

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

Reuters SSC GC1800