8:55pm UK, Saturday December 20, 2003

Saddam Hussein's capture and Libya's peace initiative will only give short term respite to Tony Blair, said former Cabinet minister Clare Short.

Ms Short said it was "sadly false" for Mr Blair and President George Bush to believe the developments were a sign their war on terrorism was succeeding.

180 Clare Short H&S resignation

Short's warning

Writing in the Independent on Sunday, the former International Development Secretary also warned the capture of Saddam would not mean an end to guerrilla attacks on Coalition troops.

Ms Short, a critic of the war in Iraq, said: "Any pretence that this means that the tactics of their so-called war on terror are succeeding is sadly false.

"Obviously the news about Gadaffi is welcome, but it has been a long process, and any suggestion that events in Libya are linked to the war in Iraq is unfounded.

"The co-ordination of the Blair-Bush press conferences claiming a big success in the war on terror has a pathetic tone that reflects Blair's desperation and the two men's continuing belief that they can prosecute their war with half-truths and deceptions."

Renewing her call for Mr Blair to be replaced as Labour leader, she also said plans to try Saddam in Iraq were "surely a mistake".