"We can not confirm that UK forces have been involved at this time," a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said.

Asked about what is the British comment on US President George W. Bush's announcement that US forces are in early stage of military attack on Iraq, the spokesman said: "Obviously, President Bush had made it clear that there is military action taking place, but specific British involvement in this, I can't confirm at the moment."

"I think we will have to wait until a few hours ... If there is British involvement, I think probably Prime Minister (Tony) Blair wish to say something," the spokesman said.

Bush said Wednesday night that he has ordered military strikes against Iraq but the war is still in early stages.

Shortly after the attack was launched, a spokesman for Ministry of Defense told Xinhua that he can not confirm if military action against Iraq has begun.

In another development, the Downing Street office confirmed that Blair was told that "attacks on a limited number of command and control targets were being brought forward".

Britain, the firmest US ally on disarming Iraq by force, has deployed about 45,000 troops to the Gulf for the US-led war against Iraq.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2003)