Blair: Grilled by press

Tony Blair has stepped into the media spotlight to face fresh criticism over Iraq.

The prime minister held his monthly press conference in Downing Street, with the redeployment of the Black Watch regiment high up the agenda.

The government last week announced that around 800 troops will be sent north towards Baghdad to allow US forces to concentrate on quelling continuing terrorism in the country.

Despite the unease generated by the move, Blair told reporters that "the key issue is the Iraqi elections in January".

"If Iraq is able to hold its own elections... that is the end of the terrorists' propaganda," he argued.

The prime minister denied reports that the operation would have to continue beyond the Christmas deadline he promised to MPs last week.

"We are undertaking a limited operation for a limited period," he said.

And he brushed aside the charge that he was giving a free rein to US troops to bulldoze through the terrorist stronghold of Falluja.

"As to any operation in Falluja, that is a matter for the Iraqi government, a UN appointed government, not a US appointed government," Blair said.

"The reason these people want to stop us is to stop the elections going ahead."

Regiments

The Black Watch deployment has prompted queries about why the government is considering merging the regiment as part of a defence review.

But Blair maintained that "no decisions have been taken" on the issue.

"People have got this the wrong way round," he said.

"There are proposals that the Scottish colonels have made to us and we will announce our decision when it has been made.

"More importantly, the chiefs of staff will. It is not really a government decision in the traditional sense.

"It is about how we best configure our armed forces for the future."

Middle East

Blair welcomed moves being debated in the Israeli parliament to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

Prime minister Sharon's plan is an "important opportunity" he said.

"If it is voted through, as I hope it is, it will allow us to start building Palestine's infrastructure."

And the premier played down the prospect of further military action in the region, despite Iran's latest refusal to comply with demands to close down its nuclear programme.

"I don't know anyone who is talking about military action in Iran or Syria," he said.

But he said "proper pressure" was being applied on Tehran.