IRAQ: The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, has warned there is "a long way to go" before security is restored in Baghdad, as officials in the US-led administration governing Iraq admitted the risks facing coalition forces had worsened in the past week.
On a lightning visit to the Iraqi capital, Mr Straw was told by Mr Paul Bremer, the US head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, that the Americans' planning for the post-war period had fallen short. They had not put the same effort into this as they had the military campaign.
The Foreign Secretary is the most senior British or US politician to have toured the city since the conflict in Iraq ended. He claimed that the security situation had improved over the last two months, but his remarks were more circumspect than a recent assessment by Mr Bremer.
After a week in which attacks on US soldiers have escalated, coalition officials voiced frustration that the lack of law and order was hampering the reconstruction effort. An American soldier hurt on Tuesday in a Baghdad attack died of his wounds, the latest casualty in a series of guerrilla-style attacks.
Mr Straw promised to consider an appeal for more resources to train local police for guarding duties.
He said: "Overall, the security situation across Iraq is better than it was two months ago, but there's obviously a long way to go."
However, his remarks contrasted with those of officials on the ground, who said the situation had worsened in the last week.
Attacks had made troops patrolling the city nervous and were making routine visits to Iraqi ministries, for which protection is required, very difficult.
The constant power cuts, caused by criminals stealing copper electricity cable as well as political sabotage, were the biggest problem after security.
"It's in their interests to screw up the electricity systems because it gives the impression the coalition is failing," an official said.
Mr Straw blamed remnants of the deposed Baathist regime. They were "operating in what appeared to be a relative organised way against coalition forces, alongside continued and straightforward criminal activity".
Saddam Hussein had contributed to the sabotage when he released criminals from jail before the military action. Failure to capture the former Iraqi leader also meant he retained some grip over Iraqi emotions.
Mr Straw said: "It would plainly be better if we could find him."
Mr Straw's visit to Iraq came as the bodies of six British soldiers killed there last week were flown home. Eight other troops were wounded on what was the worst single day for the British army in Iraq since the onset of the war in March.
US and British troops are soon to be boosted by the arrival of troops from Poland following the deployment of an advance guard yesterday. The 250 Polish troops, including the zone's future commander, Gen Andrzej Tyszkiewicz, will pave the way for a 9,200-strong force that will control a stretch of territory running from the Iranian to the Saudi border.
Meanwhile, the US has said that Monday night's explosion at a mosque in Falluja was caused by people being taught how to make bombs in the building.
US Central Command said a joint investigation conducted with Falluja police had determined that coalition forces were in no way responsible for the blast.
Residents had blamed it on an American air strike, an accusation US military officials denied.