UK's Blair-"irresponsible" to set Iraq deadline

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 on Wednesday about British policy in Iraq and the wider W Asia. Blair's decision not to take part in the debate has been fiercely criticised.

REUTERS SSC RK1845