London, Mar 26: British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today there had been a "limited" popular uprising in the southern Iraqi city of Basra and pledged support for Iraqis who revolt against President Saddam Hussein. He told parliament that if any Iraqis wanted to rebel against the regime: "we shall be ready to support them." But he added: "We have to be careful that we know we have the support in place able to help them (those who revolt), before we encourage them to do things that may lead to their death." He said about a reported uprising in the southern city of Basra: "Reports are confused but we believe there was some limited form of uprising." "Once people know that (Iraqi president) Saddam's grip on power is being weakened, then there is no doubt at all they (will) wish to opt for freedom rather than repression," Blair said.
Iraqi officers who use chemical or biological weapons will be prosecuted with the "utmost severity," Blair said.
"We are making it very clear to Iraqi commanders in the field that if there is any question of them using chemical or biological weapons, they will be prosecuted with the utmost severity and they would deserve to be so," he said.
Blair also said Britain has "sufficient forces" in Iraq and that there were no plans to send reinforcements at this stage.
"At the moment the advice that we've received is that we do have sufficient forces," Blair told parliament.
He added: "I believe that is also the advice given by the US military to the president of the United States." Bureau Report