Blair stands by Bush

Tony Blair will today come under pressure to rule out sending more troops to Iraq after a poll showed overwhelming public opposition to further British involvement.

The Cabinet is due to debate on Thursday whether the extra forces should be sent to shore up the coalition effort in the city of Najaf.

The poll in The Guardian found 84 per cent of the public believed that if British troops were sent they must only serve under British commanders in UK-controlled sectors.

Mr Blair is expected to use his monthly Downing Street press conference today to sell the merits of the President Bush's five-point plan for the transfer of authority in Iraq.

The Prime Minister is expected to stress that the coalition is not losing control in Iraq, despite the escalating violence. Mr Blair will also attempt to quell speculation about his future, making clear he intends to stand for a full-third term.

The President used a speech last night to try to swing round public support in the United States for the war in Iraq. In a televised address he warned that the 138,000 US troops would stay "as long as necessary".

But he also braced the American public for more "chaotic and difficult" times before peace and security could brought to Iraq. "Iraq now faces a critical moment. As the Iraqi people move closer to governing themselves, the terrorists are likely to become more active and more brutal. There are difficult days ahead, and the way forward may sometimes appear chaotic," he said.

The President also promised to tear down the Abu Ghraib prison, which has become synonymous with photographs of US forces abusing Iraqi prisoners.

Mr Bush said Abu Ghraib would be replaced by a new US-built maximum-security jail. He added: "America's task in Iraq is not only to defeat an enemy, it is to give strength to a friend, a free, representative government that serves its people and fights on their behalf. And the sooner this goal is achieved, the sooner our job will be done."

With his approval ratings at a new low, Mr Bush is under pressure for a speedy exit from Iraq. A draft UN resolution tabled by Britain and the United States confirms the handing of sovereignty to an Iraqi government on 30 June.

The resolution continues to give the coalition forces control of security but there was no date for when

its forces would withdraw. However, the document says the mandate of the occupying forces will be reviewed in 12 months.