Geoff Hoon has accepted that "real challenges" remain for coalition forces in Iraq.

But the defence secretary has insisted that he is "not depressed" by the present situation in the country.

Speaking on Wednesday, the Cabinet minister said that previous experiences in other conflicts had prepared him for the problems faced by the allied troops.

"Obviously, having been involved in military operations in Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, the Balkans, I recognise that there are always periods, particularly in the aftermath of major combat operations, where the peacekeeping effort is faced with real challenges," he said.

"It is perhaps more difficult in parts of Iraq than we have seen in recent operations.

"Nevertheless, the prime minister and president of the United States have made it absolutely clear that we are there to stay until we have restored the situation to the extent that Iraqis themselves can take over."

"There are certainly real concerns about the security situation in those areas dominated by Saddam's regime - certain towns near to Baghdad, certain parts of Baghdad," he added.

"But that is not the case, particularly not the case, in the south, Britain's areas of operations, where essentially British forces were welcomed by the local population and continue to be welcomed."