Keetch to visit UK Forces in Iraq

6.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th May 2003

Paul Keetch MP on a previous visit to British forces in Kuwait

Paul Keetch, MP for Hereford and Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, is to visit British Armed Forces in southern Iraq.

Mr Keetch, who will be one of the first Western politicians to visit the country after the conflict, is to make the trip to see the continuing work that UK forces are undertaking in the South of the country.

"I'm delighted to get this opportunity to visit the British forces," Mr Keetch said. "Whatever the political debates before military action began, I think that everyone recognises that the UK forces have performed with great courage and deserve our utmost respect."

"There are a great deal of reconstruction, policing and humanitarian tasks that need to be undertaken urgently now throughout Iraq, and I know that British forces will be playing a key role in this. It will be fascinating to see first hand how the work is progressing, and what remains yet to be done."

"Above all I want to hear direct from the men and women of the Armed Forces. As politicians we should never forget that when decisions over conflict are taken in Parliament it is the Armed Forces that must put their lives on the line. We should listen carefully to what they have to say."