The defence secretary has again insisted that "no decision" has been taken on whether to deploy more British troops to Iraq.

Geoff Hoon's comments came as a new poll suggested strong public opposition to any moves that would see more soldiers committed to the coalition effort.

Speaking at a press conference in London with Ali Alawi, the Iraqi defence minister, Hoon admitted that providing security in Iraq was a "major task" that would require a continuing effort.

While he said that "initially this will need to be on a large scale", the defence secretary held out the prospect of a gradual reduction in British contributions.

Hoon said that around 130,000 Iraqis were now involved in security operations in the country.

"In less than six weeks these forces will have the primary responsibility, under the direction of the interim Iraqi government, of providing security to the Iraqi people," he said.

"Clearly this is a major task and everyone recognises they will need support in doing it. 

"Initially this will need to be on a large scale and as Iraqi capability improves the need for support from the international community will reduce until Iraqi forces can provide security for the whole of Iraq.

"In the meantime the multinational force will work in partnership with Iraqi forces."

But Hoon held firm to the line that no decision has yet been taken on whether an extra 3,000 British soldiers could be deployed to the south of Iraq.

"We simply have not taken any decision about increasing the numbers at the present time," he told journalists.

No request

Alawi added that he had not made a request for extra troops during the talks.

Discussions had instead focussed on areas such as training that will allow Iraqis to take on more responsibility for their own security, he said.

The Iraqi defence minister said his priority was to bring the armed forces under civilian control.

"This is an experiment, probably the first of its kind in the Middle East," he said.

Alawi also said he expected the coalition to remain in Iraq "for months rather than years".

"It will be very unusual, I believe, that we will not be able to instil security in the country in the next year," he said.

"Beyond that period I think the level of adequate security is going to be dependent on the rate at which we develop our own capabilities inside Iraq and this is what we are working on now."

The latest discussions came as an ICM poll for the Guardian found that two thirds of the public oppose the deployment of extra British troops.

In addition, 84 per cent of voters believe that if any further troops are sent to the country they should serve under British commanders in British-controlled sectors of Iraq.