Blair Devastated as Army Chief Savages His Approach to Iraq

Colin Brown, Terri Judd and Andrew Buncombe, The Independent UK

The authority of Tony Blair was left battered last night as he attempted to play down a rift with the head of the British Army over his unprecedented warning that the presence of foreign troops was "exacerbating" the security situation in Iraq. The devastating assessment by General Sir Richard Dannatt, the chief of the general staff, infuriated ministers and caused alarm in Washington. However there was widespread backing across the Army yesterday as soldiers of every rank praised General Dannatt for standing up to the Government...

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