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Majority of Britons for Iraq pullout

Hasan Suroor

Findings may pressure Blair to set time-table for withdrawal

LONDON: The public opposition in Britain to the continued occupation of Iraq has reached its highest levels since the invasion three years ago with 55 per cent of Britons in favour of either immediate or gradual withdrawal of British troops, according to a new opinion poll.

For the first time, an overwhelming majority (57 per cent) believes that the invasion was wrong and the continued presence of foreign forces in Iraq serves no purpose.

Only 39 per cent of the respondents agree with the Government view that troops should stay in Iraq until the Iraqi security forces are ready to take over.

"This is a mirror image of April 2003, when support for the war was at its highest after the lightning campaign to capture Baghdad and the televised toppling of Saddam's statue.

Then, 60 per cent of respondents said that military action was right and 35 per cent opposed it,'' said The Daily Telegraph which commissioned the poll conducted by YouGov.

Growing concern

The findings, which are expected to increase pressure on Prime Minister Tony Blair to set out a time-table for withdrawal of British troops, came amid growing concern over the worsening situation in Iraq and the growing delay in forming a new government.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who made a surprise visit to Baghdad on Sunday, expressed concern over the continued political uncertainty in Iraq.

"There is significant international concern about the time that the formation of this government is taking and therefore we will be urging the Iraqi leaders we see to press ahead more quickly,'' he said ahead of his meeting with the Iraqi top brass.

The U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, during a visit to Britain last week, admitted that the Bush administration had made "thousands'' of mistakes in Iraq.

Throughout the tour, she was greeted by anti-war protesters forcing cancellation of a visit to a mosque in Blackburn, Mr. Straw's parliamentary constituency.

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