PM's nuclear warning to Iran

In the first speech by a British Prime Minister to the Israeli parliament, Mr Brown praised the Jewish state and warned of tougher sanctions against the Iranians.

He condemned as “abhorrent” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s repeated calls for Israel to be destroyed.

His words came as speculation mounted that Israel will try to destroy Iran’s nuclear plants before President George Bush leaves the White House early next year.

Israeli leaders insist that they cannot face the risk of a second Holocaust – this time nuclear.

But all of Mr Brown’s words to the Knesset were not warmly received.  He was heckled as he called for Israelis to withdraw from settlements on the occupied West Bank.

His backing for Jerusalem – the eastern portion of which has been annexed by Israel – as the capital of a future Palestinian state also raised eyebrows.  Mr Brown was flying back to the UK yesterday afternoon after the three-night Middle East trip that included a brief visit to Iraq and his first to Jerusalem as Prime Minister.

He will give a statement on British involvement in Iraq in the Commons today.  After talks with Iraqi  leaders, he has struck an optimistic note on troop withdrawals, holding out the prospect that Britain’s work there could soon be complete.

But he has steadfastly refused to set a timetable and a major pull-out is not expected before next year. Iraq is expected to be a major part of Mr Brown’s discussion with US presidential candidate Barack Obama on Saturday in London.

Senator Obama has vowed to withdraw all US combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office.