London: In the face of rebellion by Labour MPs and resignation by half a dozen junior ministers and Parliamentary aides, British Prime Minister Tony Blair won the House of Common's approval for war in Iraq.

Amid dramatic scenes in the House, 217 MPs including 140 ruling Labour backbenchers on March 18 night backed a rebel amendment saying the case was "not yet established" for a war with Iraq.

The government's own motion, allowing for military action, was easily carried by 412 votes to 149, thanks to the support extended by Opposition Conservative Party.

Blair smiled as the result was announced which enables him to claim a mandate for military action but the scale of the rebellion means his position as Prime Minister could be vulnerable if the war goes badly.

The nine-and-a-half-hour debate was both less passionate and less poisonous than that in February, perhaps because of the likelihood of military action.

Its sombre tone was summed up for both pro-and anti-war MPs by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who said the House's decision would "stay with MPs for decades to come".

In an impassioned and powerful speech, Blair made it clear that he would resign if he failed to carry the House with him.

PTI