Blair: steadying nerves for conflict

The prime minister has prepared parliament and the nation for an imminent war with Iraq.

Ahead of a 20-minute telephone conversation with president Bush, Tony Blair told the Commons that he hoped for a short, sharp war.

"Whatever positions people have taken, and we understand the reasons for that, I know that everyone in this House wishes our armed forces well, wishes that if there is conflict it is over as quickly and as successfully as possible," Blair told MPs.

Signalling that regime change was now on the cards, he said: "If the only means of achieving the disarmament of Iraq of weapons of mass destruction is the removal of the regime, then the removal of the regime has to be our objective."

He had earlier made an unexpected appearance at a gathering of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

At the meeting he thanked those who supported him in Tuesday's vote and moved to regain the confidence of the 139 MPs who voted against his conflict plans.

His critics said the meeting began to heal the wounds created during a series of Commons' clashes on the looming war.

Speaking to George W Bush early in the afternoon the prime minister is understood to have put in place the final war plans.

London and Washington are both keen to ensure there is no confusion in the message they send out as war gets underway.

With public opinion fragile, both Britain and the US realise they must speak with one voice as troops begin to bombard Iraq.

Blair also held a series of talks with key ministers involved in the war preparations.

A succession of ministers, including David Blunkett, John Prescott and Alistair Darling, were seen going into Number 10 during the course of a tense afternoon in Downing Street.

Number 10 said he would hold key talks with top-level ministers over the coming hours and planned to reconvene a meeting of ministers and top military advisers early on Thursday morning.

Following this week's Commons debates, the emphasis now shifts from parliament to the Gulf, where 200,000 troops stand ready for war.

MPs who had expressed grave reservations concede that military action is now inevitable.

They now hope the prime minister's confidence in pursuing war is justified.

With the deadline for Saddam Hussein to leave the country set to expire shortly after midnight tonight, that conflict could come within hours.