REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith has spoken out to assure residents a decision to take Britain into war with Iraq will not be made lightly.

Ms Smith admitted she was concerned about war but wanted people to consider what other steps could be taken to stop the suffering in Iraq.

Thousands of people across the country are opposed to any conflict and on Saturday, more than150 people of all faiths turned up for an anti-war vigil outside St Stephen's Church.

Ms Smith said: "The UN is being tested by the situation in Iraq.

"Twelve years ago the regime was told by the UN to disarm, to show it had and to turn its back on weapons of mass destruction.

"The UN must face up to its responsibilities if its resolutions are to be credible. If the UN is resolute it can emerge from the crisis strengthened and more able to take on other problems around the world. The alternative is that the UN itself is weakened and discredited."

Ms Smith agreed any action should only be taken through the UN.

But she said: " The UN didn't sanction action in Kosovo. There aren't many who say that action there was unjust or that the outcome didn't improve the humanitarian position.

"It delivered the end of ethnic cleansing and the Milosevic regime. Now the region is more stable and engaging with the international community."