British Prime Minister Tony Blair says Britain must "stay the course" in Iraq until Iraqis themselves establish democracy with their own security forces.

Blair was speaking to the House of Commons during a weekly question-and-answer session with MPs when he issued the remarks, which appeared to rule out a quick withdrawal of British troops from Iraq.

The prime minister hailed the stronger-than-expected turnout Sunday in Iraq's first free elections in 50 years.

In a newspaper interview before Sunday's election, Blair did not give any firm dates for bringing home some 8,700 British troops, but said London and Washington would have a better idea of when to withdraw after the vote.

Last month, the Daily Telegraph said London had pushed Washington to establish a timetable for the pullout of troops from Iraq.

Source: CRIENGLISH.com