Former NATO chief Lord Robertson has rejected suggestions he could be set for a top-level posting in Brussels or Baghdad.

Following reports that he is to be appointed as a European commissioner or special envoy to Iraq, the ex-defence secretary has insisted he is focusing on his lucrative business career.

Interviewed in the Times newspaper, Lord Robertson is dismissive of recent media speculation about his future - but suggests that the alliance has a key role to play in Iraq.

The senior Scottish politician also rejects suggestions that he could take Britain's next nomination to the European Commission.

"Why would I want to go from number one at NATO headquarters to being number something else at the commission," he said.

"I'm not going back to Brussels or Iraq or anywhere else. I've got serious jobs to do in the private sector and I think it is better to move on."

It is reported that Lord Robertson's directorships could amount to an income of £500,000 a year.

US approach

The Labour peer also warns that European governments could force the US to become more unilateralist in its approach to global politics.

He said Europe's failure to offer Turkey extra protection before the Gulf War made the US's position more difficult.

"Some people got cold feet about dealing with Iraq. But if we had turned back, Saddam would have had a major victory and would have become a huge problem," he said.

"Whatever your view about the start of the war and whether it was justified or not, we are now where we are and it requires an international coalition to sort Iraq out, otherwise everyone will pay the price."

The Labour peer went on to say that NATO would have a greater role to play in Iraq over the coming months.

"NATO has to do more in Iraq and if it is going to go in on a substantial basis, that will require considerable political will," said Robertson.

"America must decide if it believes this is the right idea. It must look at it and I think they are looking at it. But the European allies must be able to deliver troops on the ground - that is a very big question."