BASRA, May 29: British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday became the first leader of the coalition that toppled Saddam Hussein to visit Iraq, flying into this southern city to be told of Iranian efforts to exert control.

Greeted by General Peter Wall, commander of Britain’s One Division, the British premier immediately went into a briefing with Paul Bremer, the US administrator for Iraq, and John Sawer, the chief British envoy to the country.

Mr Sawer said he briefed Mr Blair, who arrived in a British military plane from Kuwait, on evidence Iran was trying to gain influence in southern Iraq.

“There is clear evidence of the Iranians trying to put in place a mechanism for them to exert influence here,” he said.

En route to the Middle East on Wednesday, Mr Blair warned Iran and Syria that they must not support any “terrorist” groups seeking to undermine the Arab-Israeli peace process and cooperate with inquiries by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Mr Sawer added that he had also told the prime minister about issues such as crime, security and militancy amongst Shias.

The envoy said that some religious leaders were attempting to impose tougher religious rule on Basra’s people.

“There is evidence that individual mullahs are being very assertive on things like sales of alcohol and women wearing the veil.”

Mr Blair, thanking British troops here for their role in ousting Saddam Hussein, said they had taken part in “a momentous and mighty act” in freeing the country from the strongman.

—AFP