McCain and Brown discuss Iraq

US presidential hopeful John McCain has held Downing Street talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The situation in Iraq was high on the agenda on the fifth anniversary of the invasion and the pair also discussed Afghanistan, climate change and global financial turmoil.

Mr McCain is in London as part of a delegation representing the Senate Armed Services Committee

Mr McCain acknowledged the "frustration" of British public opinion at the slow progress of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan but praised the "long service and sacrifice" of the British forces in the two countries.

He said he was strongly committed to the US operation in Iraq but added that it was a matter for the British Government how long the UK maintained troops there.

"I believe that that decision is made by the British Government and people," he said.