British Defense Secretary John Reid denied on Monday afternoon claims that Iraq has been plunged into a civil war.

Speaking to foreign journalists at the Foreign Press Association in central London shortly after his return from Iraq, Reid said the situation in Iraq is "serious" but not "terminal".

"There has been an increase in sectarian violence but it is not civil war," he said, referring to the cruel and barbaric terrorist attacks in an attempt to destroy progress in all the areas and to provoke a civil war between Shia and Sunny.

In his view, it is crucial for Iraqi politicians and religious leaders to unite and form a strong and representative government of national unity against the terrorist enemy.

Reid noted that there has been significant progress by the Iraqis in building their democracy and the beginning of economic revival.

Reflecting on his Iraqi visit, the defense secretary noted that the vast majority of Iraqi people as well as the whole international community supported by a UN mandate, wish to see the democratically elected politicians succeed.

"We all want to see a properly constructed government of national unity formed as soon as possible. It would be the best way to defuse sectarian tension, deliver legitimate security and defeat the terrorists."

According to him, the current level of violence has grown up in the aftermath of a calculated act of barbarism in the bombing of the shrine in Samarra. The violence orchestrated by terrorists in the aftermath is fuelled by the vacuum of a stalled political process.

"Remember that 14 out of the 18 provinces in Iraq are relatively peaceful with about only 2-3 percent of incidents taking place in our area in the south. The Iraqi army now has around 240,000 troops and equipped," he told the reporters.

As for the security challenges, Reid said, sectarian killings are increasing and there are problems with the police, where mixed loyalties persist. And the cores of the problems lie with al Qaida and the former elements of Saddam's regime of fascism.

On the economic front, Reid said parts of the Iraqi economy are booming. The government has started to take moves towards a market rather than command economy although this is a difficult process.

"The currency is stable. International debt has been lifted. Seventy-five hospitals are now operating, 3400 schools are rehabilitated and millions of children immunized."

With regard to increasing domestic pressure for the pull out of British troops in Iraq, the secretary said, "We will reduce troop numbers by 800 in the next changeover. Around 7,000 remain to see the mission through."

"We will stay in Iraq until the job is done. We will not cut and run. We will stay in Iraq as long as the Iraqis need and want us to but not a moment longer," he noted.

Source: Xinhua