UN has 'pivotal role' in post-war Iraq says Blair

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today he would visit the US tomorrow for talks with President George W Bush and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Iraq.

Blair also said London and Washington agreed that the United Nations had to play a pivotal role in post-war Iraq.

Asked if he was flying for talks with US President George W Bush in order to head off plans for an American civil administration taking control of Iraq once President Saddam Hussein is toppled, Blair said "no."

"It is common ground between us that the UN has got to be involved in post-conflict Iraq," Blair told a news conference in his Downing Street home.

He admitted that details of post-war structures had to be thrashed out but added: "I've got no doubt at all that we will."

Blair said that progress made by US and British forces battling towards Baghdad was going exactly as planned.

Blair also said that war on Iraq would take time and perseverance to prosecute, with attacks on Saddam Hussein's elite troops hampered by poor weather.

Lead US-British forces had now reached Karbala, south of Baghdad, he said, and were facing the elite Medina division of the Iraqi leader's Republican Guard.

"The Medina division is now under heavy air attack although poor weather will hamper this," Blair told a news conference in his Downing Street home.

"In the five days since military action began, a huge amount has already been achieved," Blair said.

"Progress towards Baghdad is of vital strategic importance."

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq