LONDON, Aug 5: As a strongest signal Britain is preparing for war against Iraq the navy’s flagship fighter aircraft carrier Ark Royal is to sail for the Mediterranean next month, with 1,300 crew and a full complement of Harrier jets and helicopters, is to leave the port of Portsmouth in five weeks time accompanied by a destroyer.

But the government says the ship will take part in what it calls a “long-planned” exercise, and the navy says there are no plans to sail on to the Gulf.

But analysts say the presence of the Ark Royal so close to the Middle East could be part of the plan to topple Saddam Hussain through US-led military action.

The government of Prime Minister Tony Blair is under increased pressure to recall parliament so that MPs could discuss the possibility of military action.

The public opinion in the UK seems to be very much divided on a possible military action against Iraq. The signs are that this time, it would be extremely difficult for Britain to take part in an attack on Iraq.

Many Labour MPs are fiercely opposed to such an action, particularly, if no fresh United Nations mandate was obtained.

A former chief of defence staff has warned that Britain risked being dragged into a “very, very messy and long-lasting Middle East war” if it went along with American plans for a military assault aimed at overthrowing Saddam.

Field Marshal Lord Bramall called on ministers to exercise caution and warned that an invasion to topple the Iraqi president might not be morally or legally justified.