Iraqi president hails 'dear' Blair

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The Prime Minister was speaking following talks in Downing Street in which he was praised as "dear friend" and a "great leader" by Iraqi president Jalal Talabani.

He was invited to travel to Iraq to see "the realities of all parts" of the country and was told the liberation was a "historical achievement".

The Prime Minister said there were "immense challenges" and difficulties in Iraq in relation to terrorism but there were also "tremendous opportunities" for the country.

He was asked if his admission on Thursday of mistakes was related to his decision to go to war in Iraq. Mr Blair responded: "I have gone back over several times things that after the fall of Saddam could have been done differently but I don't think it alters the basic point of what is happening in Iraq today.

"First of all, it is clear that those who are trying by car bombs and terrorism to destroy the possibility of progress in Iraq are doing so without the consent of the Iraqi people, without the support of the Iraqi people. Indeed, they are external forces coming into the country in order to prevent the country having what it wants.

"The second point, therefore, is in those circumstances ... you have got a situation where there are real signs of progress as well because there are parts of Iraq that are secure and making progress."

The task of the international community was to "help the will of the country of Iraq be done". Mr Blair said the "vast majority" of people in Iraq wanted to see a "free and democratic and prosperous" nation.

President Talabani said: "It was my honour to meet you, Mr Prime Minister. I would like to tell everyone that we in Iraq look to you as one of the heroes of the liberation of 27 million Iraqis from the worst kind of dictatorship.

"This big historical achievement, of course it has its costs, but I am sure that the history will show the realities of the importance of liberating Iraq."