London: In a major setback to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, two of his Ministers resigned on March 18, protesting his government's policy over Iraq, a day after leader of the House of Commons and Former Minister Robin Cook put in his papers.

Junior Health Minister Lord Hunt and Home Office Minister John Denham announced their resignations, as Blair pleaded for his Labour Party's backing for joining the US in military action against Iraq and said the crisis will determine the shape of international politics for a generation.

"Back away from this confrontation now and future conflicts will be infinitely worse and more devastating in their effects," said Blair, opening a critical debate in the House of Commons, which is effectively being asked to sanction Britain's participation in a war to disarm Saddam Hussein.

However, Blair got a boost when International Development Secretary Clare Short, who had earlier threatened to resign on the issue, changed her mind but said she was still "very critical" of the way the crisis had been handled.

Lord Hunt said he decided to resign as he did not support "the pre-emptive action, which is going to be taken without broad international support or indeed the clear support of the British people".

Denham said he was quitting because he could not vote in support of the government for a House of Commons motion to endorse a military strike on Baghdad.

"I met the Prime Minister this morning to explain my reasons," he said, adding he hoped to speak during a 10-hour debate on Iraq in the Commons.

Cook, the leader of the House of Commons, who was Foreign Minister during the Kosovo crisis, resigned on March 17.

In a Commons statement that followed his resignation as the leader of the House, Cook said he could not back a march towards a war, which did not have international and domestic support.

"Neither the international community nor the British public are persuaded that there is an urgent and compelling reason for this action in Iraq," he said.

PTI