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Blair rejects Iraq pull-out call Blair rejects Iraq pull-out call
(about 1 hour later)
Tony Blair has dismissed a Liberal Democrat call for UK troops to leave Iraq by the end of October, saying it would send a "disastrous signal".Tony Blair has dismissed a Liberal Democrat call for UK troops to leave Iraq by the end of October, saying it would send a "disastrous signal".
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said soldiers should start a five-month "staged withdrawal" in May.Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said soldiers should start a five-month "staged withdrawal" in May.
But Mr Blair told the Commons such an "arbitrary timetable" was unworkable.But Mr Blair told the Commons such an "arbitrary timetable" was unworkable.
Sir Menzies also criticised the prime minister for deciding not to lead a debate on Iraq on Wednesday. But No 10 said this was normal practice. Sir Menzies also criticised the prime minister for deciding not to lead a debate on Iraq. But No 10 said this was normal practice.
'Should debate''Should debate'
Sir Menzies is the first main UK party leader to suggest a definite withdrawal date.Sir Menzies is the first main UK party leader to suggest a definite withdrawal date.
Instead of attending the Iraq debate which follows prime minister's questions, Mr Blair will be giving a speech on public services to a meeting of business leaders. Mr Blair missed the Iraq debate to give a speech on public services to a meeting of business leaders.
HAVE YOUR SAY Pulling out is a complete betrayal of the Iraqi people David Shepherd, Withernsea Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Pulling out is a complete betrayal of the Iraqi people David Shepherd, Withernsea Send us your comments
Sir Menzies, speaking at prime minister's questions, said: "If he feels so strongly, he should come to debate these issues."Sir Menzies, speaking at prime minister's questions, said: "If he feels so strongly, he should come to debate these issues."
There was "nothing more important", he added.There was "nothing more important", he added.
Mr Blair replied that he was debating the issue "now", adding that Iraq was in "circumstances of difficulty and danger".Mr Blair replied that he was debating the issue "now", adding that Iraq was in "circumstances of difficulty and danger".
He added: "They [UK troops] are there under a United Nations resolution, with the full support of the government of Iraq."He added: "They [UK troops] are there under a United Nations resolution, with the full support of the government of Iraq."
Pulling out now "would send the most disastrous signal to the people of Iraq", he said.Pulling out now "would send the most disastrous signal to the people of Iraq", he said.
Basra handoverBasra handover
Earlier, Sir Menzies, whose party is the third largest in the UK parliament and opposed the war in 2003, said: "I think we should spend the next three months discussing with regional allies and with coalition allies what we propose to do.Earlier, Sir Menzies, whose party is the third largest in the UK parliament and opposed the war in 2003, said: "I think we should spend the next three months discussing with regional allies and with coalition allies what we propose to do.
"But between 1 May and the end of October we should conduct a staged withdrawal of United Kingdom forces."But between 1 May and the end of October we should conduct a staged withdrawal of United Kingdom forces.
"In May the three provinces, according to the government, will be handed back to the Iraqis - Basra can be handed back sometime between May and July, we can hand over the transport route between Kuwait and Baghdad which we presently protect for the United States."In May the three provinces, according to the government, will be handed back to the Iraqis - Basra can be handed back sometime between May and July, we can hand over the transport route between Kuwait and Baghdad which we presently protect for the United States.
"We can withdraw the RAF aircraft that are operating out of Qatar and by October we should be able to bring all of our British forces back.""We can withdraw the RAF aircraft that are operating out of Qatar and by October we should be able to bring all of our British forces back."
The prime minister is due to address a CBI conference, but left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell said it was a "shocking negation of his responsibilities" to miss the Commons debate on Iraq. Left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell said it was a "shocking negation of his responsibilities" to miss the Commons debate on Iraq.
The prime minister's official spokesman said it was "not the practice" for Mr Blair to lead foreign affairs debates.The prime minister's official spokesman said it was "not the practice" for Mr Blair to lead foreign affairs debates.
'Clear strategy''Clear strategy'
He added: "He has made a commitment to the Commons to make a statement when Operation Sinbad is finished and assessed. That will be the appropriate point."He added: "He has made a commitment to the Commons to make a statement when Operation Sinbad is finished and assessed. That will be the appropriate point."
Sir Menzies said it was nearly four years since Mr Blair had last opened a debate on Iraq, since when 130 British servicemen and women had died and, according to UN estimates, 34,000 Iraqis had been killed in 2006 alone.Sir Menzies said it was nearly four years since Mr Blair had last opened a debate on Iraq, since when 130 British servicemen and women had died and, according to UN estimates, 34,000 Iraqis had been killed in 2006 alone.
Ahead of the debate the shadow foreign secretary, William Hague, said: "He [Mr Blair] was in the House to lead us to war. Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, opening the Iraq debate, accused the Tories of "double standards", saying previous prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major had also not attended foreign policy debates.
"He should now be in the House to reassure Parliament and the country that the government understands the gravity of situation in Iraq and has a clear strategy for making Iraq safe and stable." She said Mr Blair was "not a prime minister who can at all be accused of avoiding the scrutiny of this House, he has set precedents that no previous prime minister has been prepared to set".
'Unprecedented'
Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "Where would this House have been in the Second World War if Winston Churchill had only attended when there was a 'turning point'?"
He also said: "We will have to face up to the fact that the situation there [in Iraq] now is a grim one and a serious one."
The government agreed to the debate on Iraq and the wider Middle East under a technical procedure known as an adjournment debate.The government agreed to the debate on Iraq and the wider Middle East under a technical procedure known as an adjournment debate.
As no substantive motion will be put, MPs will not have a chance to vote for a change in policy.As no substantive motion will be put, MPs will not have a chance to vote for a change in policy.
However, opponents of the war may choose to make a symbolic protest at the end of the debate by voting against the Commons adjourning for the evening.However, opponents of the war may choose to make a symbolic protest at the end of the debate by voting against the Commons adjourning for the evening.
In October, the government saw off a cross-party bid by MPs to force an immediate inquiry to be held into the Iraq war. But Mr Blair has said he has not ruled out holding one in the future.In October, the government saw off a cross-party bid by MPs to force an immediate inquiry to be held into the Iraq war. But Mr Blair has said he has not ruled out holding one in the future.