Britain's presence in Iraq must change to a reconstruction role, Mike O'Brien has said.

The trade minister told business leaders on Friday that British firms have a key role to play in rebuilding the country.

"Iraq can still be a great economic success, given the chance. It is in Britain's, and the international community's, interest that we continue to help the Iraqi people to build a stable, democratic and prosperous Iraq," he told the UK Trade and Investment conference.

He echoed both the prime minister and President Bush's pledge that the government was committed to Iraq's rebuilding "for as long as it takes".

O'Brien added that UK firms were in a strong position to gain contracts for projects in Iraq.