Blair in Iraq

Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday British troops would stay in Iraq "until the job is done" and pledged to support the country's weak government as it battles sectarian violence and a raging Sunni Arab insurgency.

Just before Mr Blair landed in Baghdad for an unannounced visit, gunmen in police uniforms carried out a mass kidnapping at a Red Crescent office in the capital, highlighting Iraq's security challenges. Police said 10 to 20 people were seized but Red Crescent officials said more were snatched.

Mr Blair said he and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had discussed the need for national reconciliation and building up Iraq's security forces to fight soaring Shi'ite-Sunni sectarian violence that has pushed the country close to all-out civil war.

"We stand ready to support you in every way that we can so that in time the Iraq government and the Iraqi people can take full responsibility for their affairs," Mr Blair, who is touring the Middle East, told a news conference.

The visit by Mr Blair, Washington's closest ally, comes as US President George W. Bush is rethinking his Iraq strategy following the defeat of his Republicans in mid-term elections and in the face of mounting US military casualties.