Tony Blair yesterday claimed elections in Afghanistan and Iraq were and would be "huge blows" to terrorism.

Speaking shortly after 49 Iraqi National Guard trainees were found murdered the prime minister said: "The fact they are trying to kill innocent, unarmed people is an indication actually of their desperation.

"They know they can't win this militarily in the end. What they hope to do is simply intimidate, bully and terrify people out of exercising their democratic rights.

"There is one thing for democrats to do in those circumstances and that is to stand up for democracy."

However Blair and George W Bush were damaged by the revelation that 350 tons of explosives have gone missing in Iraq.