"Defeating poisonous ideology essential" - PM

"Defeating poisonous ideology essential" - PM

21 February 2007

Bringing about "enduring change" in the Middle East is vital to our security, Tony Blair has told MPs.

In a wide-ranging statement, the PM gave an update on the situation in Iraq and particularly Basra.

The next chapter in that city's history can now be written by Iraqis, he said, as he announced that the number of British forces there would be reduced from 7100 to 5500.

Many of those that remained would take on a support role - training Iraqi forces, securing the Iran-Iraq border and supply routes.

He paid tribute to all the UK soldiers in Iraq for being "dedicated, professional, committed and brave beyond belief".

The PM reflected on the security situation in the Middle East and offered his support to those nations and government who are "treading the path of progress".

He said the strategy was clear:

"To bring about enduring change in the Middle East as an indispensable part of our own enduring security. The poisonous ideology that erupted after 9/11 has its roots there, and is still nurtured and supported there. It has chosen Iraq as the battleground. Defeating it is essential. Essential for Iraq.

"But also, now, for us here in our own country. Self-evidently the challenge is enormous. It is the purpose of our enemies to make it so. But our purpose in the face of their threat, should be to stand up to them, to make it clear that however arduous the challenge the values that they represent will not win and the values we represent, will."

ENDS

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