Saddam 'still in Iraq': Hoon

British defence Secretary Geoff Hoon today promised to bring British troops home from Iraq “as quickly as possible”.

Mr Hoon was speaking as he became the first senior coalition minister to visit Iraq since the US and UK launched the military campaign to oust Saddam Hussein.

Mr Hoon, visiting British forces in the southern Iraqi port of Umm Qasr, said he believed the deposed dictator was probably still in the country.

In an interview with British Forces Broadcasting Services, Mr Hoon said he was keen to get British servicemen back home as quickly as possible.

“There is still a very important job to do here restoring Iraq to its own people. But I want British forces to go back home just as soon as possible,” said Mr Hoon.

He said his visit had given him the “opportunity to see the results of the tremendous work carried out by members of Britain’s armed forces”.

“I simply want to say thank you to them on behalf of the government,” he added.

Mr Hoon said British forces were making a “tremendous humanitarian contribution to rebuilding this country”.

The Defence Secretary said all three services had performed admirably during the military campaign.

“There was a tremendous sense of co-operation between the different armed services, the three worked very closely together.”

Speaking to journalists during his visit, Mr Hoon was asked about Saddam’s whereabouts.

He said: “In the end we don’t know, but it is still our best judgment that he is (in Iraq).”

Mr Hoon said: “As each day goes by, we continue to search those places he may be hiding. We have to keep an open mind, but that is still my best judgment.”