Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Cabinet met Thursday to discuss a U.S. request for British troops to be moved into volatile central Iraq, a proposal that has met strong opposition within the governing Labour Party. British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon planned a statement to the House of Commons Thursday afternoon, Blair's official spokesman said. "There was unanimous support from the Cabinet for the troops and their commanders on the ground and respect for their judgment and a determination that government should do all that it can in helping with the process of bringing free elections to Iraq in January, to help finish the job that they have set out to do," said the spokesman. Meanwhile, the senior British commander in Iraq said more British troops could be sent to the country to boost security ahead of elections scheduled for January. "There may be a request to surge additional forces into Iraq in the run-up to the elections _ that has been discussed," Gen. John McColl was quoted as saying by The Times newspaper. "But it is no more than prudent planning at this stage."
