Brown, making his annual budget statement to parliament, confirmed that he had set aside 3.0 billion pounds (4.3 billion euros, 4.6 billion dollars) to pay for Britain's role in the conflict.

The money was needed "so that our troops continue to be properly equipped and given the resources that they deserve and have a right to expect," he said.

The government was also pledging just over 300 million pounds towards the reconstruction of Iraq, Brown said, a donation of 240 million pounds supplemented by an additional 100 million dollars for United Nations relief work there.

Finally, Brown promised significant extra cash to protect Britain against terrorism attacks -- a risk some experts say has been increased by the country's strong backing for the US-led war, which has angered many Muslim nations.

A total of 330 million pounds would go towards beefing up security at ports and other measures, Brown said.

"At home our responsibility is to safeguard our communities from terrorist threats and our resolve is absolute," he said.

The chancellor opened his speech by paying warm tribute to the role of British troops in Iraq, on the day that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's regime appeared to have all-but collapsed in Baghdad.

"I believe the whole House (of Commons) will wish to join me in expressing our gratitude and support to our armed forces for the zeal, bravery and resilience with which they carry out their duties -- and for their outstanding achievements," he said.

Some experts have warned that Britain's eventual spending on the war and its aftermath could greatly exceed the 3.0 billion pound allocation, putting extra pressures on public finances already suffering from weak economic growth.

Much of the cost of the 1991 Gulf War was met by other countries but this time, with limited international backing for the conflict, Britain and the United States were likely to be footing the bill alone, they add.

SPACE.WIRE