Hove Action For Peace said in its letter (July 19) it wants the "immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq".

Why should the United Kingdom and the many other countries now in Iraq leave the country for Saddam to try to make a comeback?

This is a ridiculous notion which would not be supported by the people of Iraq, who would rightly feel betrayed after risking so much by supporting the removal of Saddam.

In my article in The Argus on March 15, I highlighted some of the many weapons reported in a 173-page report by UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix which he said had not been accounted for

by the weapons inspectors because of lack of co-operation from the Iraqi regime.

This report indisputably made clear weapons of mass destruction were in Iraq, as had countless UN resolutions ever since 1991 - including 1441, adopted unanimously by the Security Council.

The atrocities committed by Saddam's regime are becoming more apparent by the day. Coalition forces have already found tens of thousands of mass graves, with estimates showing more than 300,000 people are still "missing".

Our main concern now is rebuilding Iraq and the Government has committed £154m to the country's reconstruction. There is still a lot to be done. A significant step forward is that Iraq now has a governing council made up of 25 people (including three women) from all sections of society.

I have no doubt the UK took the right decisions on Iraq and its weapons programmes.

The Prime Minister had my full support then and continues to do so. The withdrawal of troops would not do anything to help the future of Iraq.

Indeed, UN Security Council Resolution 1483 explicitly allows troops from around the world to take part in the important humanitarian, reconstruction and peace-keeping operation which is ongoing.

-Ivor Caplin MP, House of Commons