Army chief: No Iraq pullout

British troops in Iraq may be lined up for further dangerous missions outside the Basra area, army chief Sir Michael Jackson said today.

He said UK forces were ready to operate anywhere in Iraq in future and warned against expectations of an early homecoming.

"That is not mission creep in my view," the Chief of the General Staff said. "The mission is Iraq. The mission is to provide Iraq with its political and economic future."

His comments came as 30 January was set as the date of the first free Iraqi elections, despite fears violence could still disrupt the polls.

The announcement by the Iraqi executive was welcomed by Britain and appeared to douse claims the vote could be delayed by continuing instability.

Iraq's Shia majority wants to press ahead with the elections although the minority Sunnis, who held power in Saddam Hussein's regime, are less keen.

Sir Michael confirmed that the Black Watch will be brought home for Christmas after its current deployment near Baghdad is completed. And he said the regiment would not be replaced by another British unit.