Leaders urge greater Nato role in Iraq

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush today called for greater Nato involvement in Iraq.

Mr Bush said the two leaders would work with their alliance partners to try to achieve its greater participation in maintaining security in the country.

Their comments came after 45 minutes of private talks at the G8 summit on Sea Island, near Savannah, Georgia, in America’s deep south.

Mr Bush told reporters: “We discussed Nato involvement over breakfast and we believe Nato ought to be involved. We will work with our Nato friends to at least continue the role that now exists and hopefully extend it somewhat.”

At present, Nato provides only minimal logistic support for troops in Iraq.