BRITAIN: Relatives of British soldiers killed or serving in Iraq have launched a campaign for troops to be withdrawn, with a stinging attack against the "lunacy" of the conflict.
The father of one British soldier killed in Iraq said Prime Minister Tony Blair had kept his promise about members of the Black Watch being home for Christmas - but they were being brought back in body bags. The Scottish regiment has been relocated recently to facilitate the US-led assault on Falluja.
Mr Reg Keys, whose son Lance Cpl Thomas Keys, a member of the Royal Military Police, was murdered by a mob last year, said his son had gone to Iraq with his head held high.
Mr Keys, joined by relatives of several other soldiers, told a press conference at Westminster that the families were not radical left-wingers or anti-army. Some of them had other sons in the services but they were making their stand because they did not want them to be killed. Mr Keys said: "We want to bring some sanity to this lunacy. The war was based on lies, deceit and false information."
He said he took great exception to the deployment of the Black Watch troops into the so-called Triangle of Death.
The relatives signed a letter of protest, addressed to the Prime Minister, which read: "You have now changed the rhetoric for your remit for war from WMD (weapons of mass destruction) to regime change.
"Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, states that this is illegal. Thus you are forcing our troops in an illegal conflict against Iraq that you and Mr Bush presumed to be a soft target.
"The resulting chaos and atrocities are now played out for all to see daily on our television screens." The letter said the world was now "undeniably" a more dangerous place and continued: "Stop the war, bring the troops home and hand responsibility over to the United Nations."
The relatives asked the Prime Minister why he found it necessary to continue his "unhealthy liaison" with the US President, a reference to Mr Blair's visit this week to Washington.
The families waited patiently at the end of Downing Street to be allowed in by police.
Mr Keys, holding the wreath, said it was appropriate it should be left outside No 10 because he held the government responsible for the war.
"The responsibility for this carnage lies at the doorstep of No 10." He said today's event was marking the "dignity and respect" of all British troops, especially those killed in the conflict. The families then embraced before departing.