Miliband says Labour Party scarred by Iraq war

By Sophie Walker

BOURNEMOUTH (Reuters) - Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Tuesday that Britain's role in Iraq had scarred the government and divided the country and added that it was vital to stop the conflict spreading through the Middle East.

In his speech to the ruling Labour Party's annual conference, Miliband said the party had to learn lessons from "the scars of 10 years in government" and focus on new issues.

"The war in Iraq was divisive in our party and in our country. It was a huge decision and the passion on all sides was sincere and understandable," he said.

"Whatever the rights and wrongs, and there have been both, we've got to focus on the future," he said.

Britain must continue to support the development of an effective Iraqi security force and keep its promise to Iraqis that they will have a stake in their country's future, he said.

"We need to work with all the neighbours of Iraq to reconcile Sunnis and Shias, to prevent that conflict first fragmenting the country and then spreading like a contagion across the Middle East," Miliband said.

Miliband's appointment in June by new Prime Minister Gordon Brown was widely seen as an attempt to draw a line under the foreign policies of Brown's predecessor, Tony Blair, which angered and alienated many voters.

Miliband voted for the Iraq war but has said that he initially had reservations about it.