DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./U.K./IRAQ: BRITS LEAVING IRAQ ONCE GORDON BROWN BECOMES PRIME MINISTER?!?

Bush warned of British exit from Iraq
Correspondents in London and Baghdad

US President George W. Bush has been told to prepare for a British U-turn on Iraq once Gordon Brown becomes prime minister, despite assurances from outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair that Britain will stay the course.

Mr Bush has been briefed by White House officials to expect an announcement on British troop withdrawals during Mr Brown's first 100 days in office, Britain's Sunday Telegraph reported yesterday.

The briefing came as Mr Blair made one last visit to Iraq before leaving office next month, promising Iraq's leaders they could count on British support.

Mr Blair, who was on his seventh visit to Iraq, said he believed security was improving, despite the fact that an explosion hit the British embassy compound in Baghdad just before he arrived.

When Mr Blair visited British forces in southern Iraq later in the day, two mortar rounds exploded nearby, causing no injuries, British military officials said. Mr Blair appeared unflustered by the attacks and shrugged his shoulders to waiting journalists, acknowledging that shelling and bombings were still a daily part of life.

"Every time there is an attempt to make progress, of course the terrorists redouble their efforts, and our response should not be then to walk away or to give in. It should be to stand up to them because they don't represent the true will of the Iraqi people," Mr Blair said.

Standing with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani at a news conference, Mr Blair appeared irritated at repeated questions about the high levels of violence in Iraq.

He said the next British Government, to be led by Chancellor Mr Brown, would continue to support Iraq after he left office inJune.

"The policy that I pursued is a policy for the whole of the Government, so even when I leave office, I am sure that that steadfast support will continue," he said.

But The Sunday Telegraph cited senior officials as saying the US President had been advised during a recent briefing on how to handle the aftermath of a British pullout and the end of steadfast support from London.

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and

Brown won't pull UK troops out of Iraq: U.S. official
by Sophie Walker

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"We have absolutely no such understanding. We believe there will be continuity within the UK government over the approach to Iraq and Afghanistan," the official said.

"No, I would not look at any precipitate, unilateral or sudden departure here. We do not believe we can afford to leave Iraq," the official said.

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Pertinent Links:

1) Bush warned of British exit from Iraq

2) Brown won't pull UK troops out of Iraq: U.S. official