Iraq urged Washington and incoming British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday to stand firm against domestic political pressures and maintain troop numbers in Iraq despite ongoing militia and insurgent violence.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said progress was being made in Iraq since the latest security crackdown began in mid-February, but it was important there were no signs of weakness with coalition forces, including those from Australia. He said Brown, who will take over from Tony Blair as prime minister in late June, had been a supporter of the military mission in Iraq and the Iraqi minister did not expect any significant changes under his leadership.
"We hope there wouldn't be any changes, or any dramatic changes. We understand the realities of British politics," Zebari, in Australia for talks with Downer and Prime Minister John Howard, told reporters at a joint news conference with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in Canberra. He is in Australia for talks with Downer and Prime Minister John Howard.
"The forthcoming Prime Minister Brown has also been supportive of Iraqi democracy, of the mission, and I believe it's very important there shouldn't be weaknesses within the coalition because these are crucial times."
Australia has about 1,500 troops in and around Iraq and the troop deployment will be a major issue at elections later in the year. The opposition centre-left Labor Party promises to withdraw frontline forces if it wins power. |