Brown urged not to pull out of Iraq

Speaking in Canberra after talks with his Australian counterpart, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said he did not expect any major changes in British policy in regards to Iraq when Gordon Brown takes over as Prime Minister from Tony Blair, who steps down on June 27.

"We hope there wouldn't be any changes, or any dramatic changes," Zebari told a news conference.

"I believe it is very important there shouldn't be any weaknesses in the coalition," he said.

"These are crucial times, these are critical times for all of us.

"I'm sure the British leadership will recognise that any negative signals sent out would not help the interests of Iraq or their interests during these times."

Brown, who has been expected to succeed Blair for years, has said recently that Iraq was a "divisive and difficult" issue.

But he said he stood by the government's decision to join the US-led invasion.

Brown has not outlined what his specific policies on Iraq will be, though he has indicated that he wants to devote more time and resources toward the creation of jobs and basic services.

Australia also joined the 2003 invasion, and has about 1,600 troops in and around Iraq contributing to the war effort.