BRITAIN: Britain is considering sending more troops to Iraq as security deteriorates and attacks mount on its forces.
The British Defence Secretary, Mr Geoff Hoon, has ordered a review of troop levels, his ministry said, as concerns grow that British forces in the south of the country are becoming over-stretched.
Mr Hoon's review, announced yesterday, followed newspaper reports that the Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, has asked the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to send more troops or risk "strategic failure".
At his monthly press conference, Mr Blair said the situation in Iraq was serious. He blamed Saddam Hussein's supporters and foreign militants for attacks on troops and UN officials.
"It is a serious situation," Mr Blair said. "This is not the American and British forces versus the Iraqi people. The terrorist attacks taking place are not the work of ordinary Iraqis. This is the British and American forces and the vast majority of Iraqis versus a small number of Saddam's supporters and an increasing number of outside terrorist groups.
But no decision had been made to commit more forces, he said.
"We keep it constantly under review because we have got to get the job done. But there are no decisions that have been taken on additional troops," he said.
"Iraq is important for the stability of the Middle East and the wider world," Mr Blair said, adding that Britain would redouble its efforts to rebuild the country.
Earlier, a Defence Ministry spokesman said: "In the light of events in Iraq, the Defence Secretary has asked for a review of the forces and resources required to support UK operations." Britain currently has 11,000 troops in Iraq. Fifty have died there, 17 in the last four months as security deteriorates.
Mr Straw, whose notes for a meeting with Mr Blair were leaked to the Daily Telegraph, said the present military force was incapable of providing the level of reconstruction needed.
Mr Straw said that sending an extra 5,000 troops would not only help improve security but also demonstrate Britain's resolve to sceptical Iraqis and other coalition members.
He said the "lack of political progress in solving the linked problems of security, infrastructure and the political process are undermining the consent of the Iraqi people to the coalition presence". He said the problems were providing "fertile ground for extremists and terrorists".
"Visible improvements" were needed, he said, by the start of the Muslim festival of Ramadan in late October.
Conceding a need for international help, the administration of President Bush began a campaign on Wednesday to involve the UN more deeply in Iraq, hoping for more foreign money and troops.
Post-war security concerns have increased due to almost daily guerrilla attacks on US-led troops, last month's bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad and a car-bomb in the holy city of Najaf that killed more than 80.
Mr Blair issued a fresh warning to Iran yesterday to comply with international demands on nuclear weapons and cease support for terrorist groups.
He said Britain would remain critical of Tehran until it signed up to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and said his government was under "no illusions" about their relationship.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is due to report next Monday on whether Iran is in breach of its international obligations.
Mr Blair said: "We have a policy of, I would describe it actually, as critical engagement (with Iran). We are engaged with Iran, we have a dialogue with their leadership, but we are under no illusions.
"It is important both that they adhere completely to the demands of the international community in respect of nuclear weapons and that they cease all support of terrorist groups."