Restoring peace in Iraq is difficult: Britain

Britain's Foreign secretary says restoring peace in Iraq has been "much more difficult" than expected.

Restoring peace in Iraq has been "much more difficult" than expected, Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Thursday.

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In a TV interview marking the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Miliband said: "I think the war itself was a remarkable victory ... But the truth is that building the peace after the war has been much more difficult than people expected."

Miliband also said that the situation in Iraq was "very dangerous" for British troops.

"Yes, it's a very dangerous situation for our troops and for the Iraqis, but I think it is striking that the number of attacks is down, the amount of trade that is going on is up, the economic situation has improved, and that, in a way, is a function of the security improvement."

Anti-war protestors were expected to call for British troop withdrawal at demonstrations in London and other cities Thursday.