Brown: I will get UN support if we have 'another Iraq'

Gordon Brown has promised the UN that Britain would try to secure a multilateral solution if the world faces a repeat of the Iraq crisis of 2003.

In another break with Tony Blair, Mr Brown assured Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, that he would seek the widest possible international support and agreement through the UN before intervening in another country.

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After talks with Mr Brown at Downing Street, Mr Ban was asked whether he could envisage the Prime Minister sidestepping the UN in the way Mr Blair and George Bush did before the Iraq war. He replied: "Different circumstances will require different leadership. I am sure the new administration in the UK will have a new leadership under new circumstances." Mr Ban added: "The situation is different from three or four years ago when the international community was divided over this Iraqi situation. Now I am seeing more recognition of multilateralism and I am quite confident of the continuing strong support of the new administration of the UK."

Mr Brown has concentrated mainly on the domestic agenda since taking over, announcing some changes to Mr Blair's policies on education, health, housing and the constitution without dumping its overall strategy. He is expected to turn to foreign affairs soon.

The Prime Minister wants to work through international bodies such as the UN but wants them to be reformed so they are stronger and more effective. He does not rule out military action without UN approval as a last resort but would always seek to build an international consensus.

Allies insist his approach does not mean he is distancing himself from the US. He has had three conversations with President Bush since becoming Prime Minister, including his first video-conference, and believes having strong relationships with both America and Europe is in "the British national interest".

The Prime Minister has not announced any change of policy on Iraq, saying Britain will meet its commitments to the Iraqi people and government. However, many Labour MPs hope he will be able to speed up the withdrawal of British troops if conditions on the ground allow it.

A possible blueprint for Mr Brown's strategy on Iraq will be published tomorrow by the Iraq Commission, an independent, cross-party group that has held hearings on the country's future. Its report will map out a long-term strategy for Britain's role in Iraq, reconstruction, rebuilding and humanitarian relief, the Iraqi economy and Britain's diplomatic relations with the US and the Middle East.

The group has considered whether the UN could take on an enhanced role despite fears for the safety of its personnel.

The commission said: "Britain stands at a crossroads. With a new prime minister in Downing Street, there is a unique opportunity to consider a way forward for British policy in Iraq."

It was set up by the Foreign Policy Centre think-tank and Channel 4, which will broadcast its findings tomorrow at 7.30pm. It is chaired jointly by Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, the former Liberal Democrat leader, Baroness Jay of Paddington, the former Labour cabinet minister and Lord King of Bridgwater, the former Tory defence secretary.