"Irresponsible" to set Iraq deadline - Blair

LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today it would be ''deeply irresponsible'' to set an arbitrary deadline for pulling British forces out of Iraq.

Responding to a proposal by the opposition Liberal Democrat party to bring troops home by October, Blair said such a move would send a disastrous signal to the insurgents who British forces are battling in the southern Iraqi province of Basra.

''For us to set an arbitrary timetable -- not attached to the conditions in Iraq, simply saying that we will pull British troops out in October come what may -- would send the most disastrous signal to the people that we are fighting in Iraq,'' Blair told lawmakers.

''It is a policy that, whatever its superficial attractions may be, is actually deeply irresponsible ... '' he said.

Parliament is due to hold a debate later today about British policy in Iraq and the wider W Asia. Blair's decision not to take part in the debate has been fiercely criticised.

''What could possibly be more important than that the prime minister should be here to debate the issue of Iraq at a time when British forces are at risk every day in respect of their lives?'' opposition Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell asked Blair.

''Isn't that the kind of leadership we're entitled to?'' Government officials say British operations aimed at preparing for the handover of security in Basra to Iraqi authorities could be completed in the next few weeks.

Operation Sinbad, which aims to retrain Basra police, root out insurgents and improve basic services with a view to leaving Iraqi forces in charge, is scheduled to finish some time in February.

Blair said he would brief parliament on British forces' future strategy when the operation in Basra was over.

Britain has some 7,100 troops in southern Iraq. Blair, undermined politically by his support for the US-led war in that country, is coming under increasing pressure to name the date soldiers can start to come home before he himself steps down later this year.

REUTERS SSC ND1904