[The Church of England] Following the outbreak of military action the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Tom Butler, Chairman of the Church of England's Community and Public Affairs Unit, has issued a statement saying:

"I am greatly saddened that diplomatic efforts to ensure Iraq's compliance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions have been adjudged to have failed and that the Government now considers it necessary to participate in the use of military force to disarm Iraq.

"Like all concerned people, my thoughts and prayers are with those members of our armed services currently serving abroad as well as with their families at home. I commend the courage, commitment and professionalism of those men and women who serve in the armed forces - as well as the chaplains and other support staff who serve alongside them. I pray, too, for wisdom and guidance for our political leaders as they face the difficult decisions ahead of them. Finally, I pray for the people of the Middle East that out of this crisis might arise the conditions for a just and lasting peace for all its people.

"In seeking to resolve this conflict and to provide the basis for a lasting and just peace in the region, the international community must revitalise the Middle East Peace Process, based on the twin principles of a secure Israel and a viable Palestinian state."