Britain says "it will take time to rebuild Iraqi nation"

Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw warned Wednesday of more "dark moments" ahead in Iraq and said it would take time to rebuild a nation which suffered a dictatorial, violent past.

"None of us should underestimate the challenges that still lie ahead in Iraq," Straw told the governing Labour Party's annual conference. "Nation building from a violent past has never been easy."

The British government has resisted calls to withdraw Britain's 8,500 troops from Iraq, and insists it is committed to help the fledgling government restore order and build democratic institutions, the AP reminds.

T.E.