The G8 summit in Georgia, USA, has drawn to a close with world leaders still disagreeing about the Iraq war.

At their end of summit press conferences, the British and American leaders were forced to play down earlier hopes that NATO could take on a larger role in the country.

Earlier this week there was agreement at the United Nations on a security council resolution setting out the transfer of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government.

But opposition from France and Germany means that the transatlantic security organisation is unlikely to take on any major role in Iraq.

"Our desire is not to have a large number of NATO troops there. I don't think that is practical," Tony Blair said.

"Our desire is - on the basis that the Iraqi government want it but I believe they will - to have NATO help with training. In other words the building up of the Iraqi capability."

The prime minister also accepted that differences on Iraq remained.

"You are never going to get people who were against removing Saddam and were against the Iraq war to change their minds. People have got their positions on that," he admitted.

Blair also said that the G8 had also focused on breathing new life into the Middle East peace process, and tackling the spread of HIV/Aids.

It was also announced at the summit that there will be extra support for plans to train up to 75,000 African peacekeeping troops by 2010.

Next year's G8 summit will be held at the Gleneagles resort in Scotland, it was revealed.

Responding to that announcement, Scotland's first minister said it would be a "privilege" to host world leaders.

"The summit will provide a unique opportunity to raise the profile of Scotland as a destination, a business location and as a potential place to live," said Jack McConnell.

"We will seize that opportunity and showcase our ambitions for Scotland."