June 12, 2007	Tuesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 26, 1428

BAGHDAD, June 11: Britain’s future prime minister Gordon Brown on Monday voiced solidarity with Iraqi leaders and rejected domestic calls for a probe into the increasingly unpopular war.

Mr Brown’s first visit to Iraq since he was chosen by the Labour party to replace Prime Minister Tony Blair came as the Conservative opposition said it wanted an immediate enquiry into the war.

He rejected the call, seen by many as a way of upping the pressure even before he comes to power on June 27, saying precedence should be given to supporting the troops on the ground.

“The wrong time to even consider an inquiry is when you have got to give all your effort to supporting the troops on the ground,” Mr Brown told Sky News.

“There are times to consider these things, but the right thing to do at the moment is to give the full support and the full force of government behind the troops on the ground.”

The British leader, who is accompanied by Defence Minister Des Browne, went straight into talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki and later with President Jalal Talabani.

Mr Talabani’s office said Mr Brown, currently the finance minister of Britain, declared to the president his country’s sustained support to Iraq. “The British minister of finance praised the presidency and stressed the continuous support of his country to Iraq to achieve democracy, reconciliation and economic development.”

It said the leaders also discussed the security situation in Iraq, including the ongoing Baghdad security crackdown. “They also discussed the role of British forces to build and rehabilitate the Iraqi military’s abilities and participation in delivering peace and stability in southern Iraq,” where the British troops are based.

Mr Maliki’s office said the Iraqi premier promised sustained efforts to tackle his country’s problems.

“The solution to Iraq’s problem is not just increasing the number of forces, but to find a political solution. The difficulties and challenges will not stop the government from achieving its goals,” a statement from the premier’s office quoting him said.

Public support in Britain for the war has collapsed and Mr Blair has previously announced that British forces would begin to withdraw in August.—AFP