TONY Blair today said large numbers of Iraqis were waiting to revolt

against Saddam Hussein, amid reports of an uprising in Basra.

Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister said it was important for

allied forces to give support to ordinary Iraqis desperate to topple their

"repressive" President.

Mr Blair confirmed there had been a limited uprising in Basra but at this

stage the picture in Iraq's second city remained unclear.

He told MPs: "There are large numbers of people waiting to see whether

their greatest hopes can be realised and the regime fall.

"When that is clear I think they will take action themselves and we must

be ready to help the, although that may be some time off.

"Once people know Saddam's grip on power has been weakened , they wish to

opt for freedom not oppression."

He added: "It is important we give support to these people in Iraq who are

rising up to overthrow Saddam and his totally repressive regime."

But Mr Blair said any decision on Allied forces assisting the Iraqi people

must rest with commanders on the ground who know the full facts.

He also paid tribute to British serviceman who have already lost their

lives in the conflict - including two soldiers killed when their

Challenger tank was hit in a "friendly fire" incident during fighting early on

Tuesday.

During Prime Minister's questions, he was repeatedly pressed on his visit

this afternoon to Washington.

MPs are keen for him to secure a publication date for the "roadmap" for

peace in the Middle East and the settlement of the Israel-Palestinian

conflict.

Top of the agenda with President George W. Bush will be humanitarian aid

for Iraq and plans for a post-Saddam era.

But Mr Blair will also push the president on the need to re-build the US

relationship with Europe.

UK officials say military strategy is not a priority for the discussions,

despite the looming battle for Baghdad and continuing fighting involving coalition forces across southern Iraq.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said while the two leaders will go through

their military tactics, they will also be looking at how to engage the UN

in organising humanitarian relief, and to "restore Iraq to the community

of nations".

This would include involving "countries not involved in the conflict" and

other international aid agencies, said Mr Hoon.

"I am concerned that the UN will be involved. There may be a discussion

about precisely how that will be organised,"

Mr Blair will spend this evening and most of Thursday with the president

at his Camp David retreat.

The prime minister will then meet United Nations Secretary General Kofi

Annan in New York.

Updated: 13:06 Wednesday, March 26, 2003