UK sets up force for failing states in wake of Iraq

By Katherine Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced plans on Wednesday for a civilian rapid reaction force that would come to the aid of fragile or failing states, saying he had learned lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 1,000-strong force comprising police, emergency service personnel, judges and trainers would be on standby to be deployed to provide humanitarian assistance to ailing nations or help with post-war reconstruction and peacekeeping.

Ultimately, he said, having such a resource would be in the best interests of Britain's own security.

"We must have civilian experts and professionals ready to deploy quickly to assist failing states and to help rebuild countries emerging from conflict, putting them on the road to economic and political recovery," Brown told parliament as he unveiled a new national security strategy.

"(It is) a lesson learnt from recent conflicts ranging from Rwanda and Bosnia to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia."

Brown urged European Union and NATO partners "to set high and ambitious targets for their own contributions".

The United States and Britain, who five years ago invaded Iraq together, have recognised they could have done more to prepare for the aftermath of the conflict and limit the chaos that continues to cause death and destruction in the country.

Critics of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars say they have created breeding grounds for anti-Western militant groups and put Britain in the firing line for Islamist attacks.