SIR - David Rhodes is right in his comments regarding Iraq (T&A Letters, September 20).

Though I opposed the invasion of Iraq, I must now admit that the situation in Iraq is worsened not so much by the presence of coalition forces, but by the actions of the insurgents.

Scarcely a day passes without images of blood-curdling barbarity being beamed into our living rooms from that country.

Is it not these very atrocities and their frequency that necessitates the occupation by the coalition, and without whom, the most likely outcome would be a civil war.

Such being the grim prospect, and unless coalition troops were replaced by a UN or a multi-national force comprising of forces from Muslim countries, the withdrawal of coalition troops would be a wholly irresponsible act on the part of any government.

I would also concur with David Rhodes that a majority of Iraqis would welcome the chance to live in a democratic society which affords them basic human rights such as freedom of speech, rather than live in one which incarcerates, or worse, tortures and executes for daring to disagree with their rulers.

Dilip M Dhokia, Oulton Terrace, Bradford