LONDON, February 4 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - As several activists of the Green Peace organization chained themselves Tuesday, February 4, to tanks in the southern British city of Southampton, protesting the looming U.S.-led war on Iraq, the British army received orders to be on standby for a forthcoming invasion of Iraq.

The demonstrators went to a military harbor in the city and chained themselves to the tanks in a bid to impede the transit of U.K. weaponry to the Gulf, BBC news online reported.

"It is worth taking such a risk if we are to succeed in heading off war on Iraq. I stand ready to stay here to that end," said one Green Peace activist.

Over the past six days, the Green Peace's Rainbow ship blocked up the way of the British warships heading to the Gulf, however, the British police embarked on the ship and forced its captain to steer it away.

This came as senior British army officers were told to prepare for an occupation of Iraq lasting up to three years in the event of war and the ousting of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, said the BBC.

"The Army had been told to prepare for a very long presence indeed in Iraq," BBC quoted a top army brass as saying.

About 31,000 British troops have already been sent to the Gulf, including 26,000 soldiers, drawn from 1 UK Armored Division, 7 Armored Brigade - the main British army formation going to the Gulf (The Desert Rats) - 16 Air Assault Brigade, and 102 Logistics Brigade.

About 4,000 marines are being sent, from 40 and 42 Commando of 3 Commando Brigade.

The British army, in addition, plans to deploy 60 Royal Air Force fighter jets and support aircraft to the Gulf region.

Many British troops being sent to Kuwait would probably be used for peacekeeping and "rearguard" duties rather than in combat at the front lines, the BBC quoted British defense officials as saying.

And some units in 7 Armored Brigade said they have been asked to protect the Americans' rear during any invasion, and to deal with prisoners. Other units, however, would be closer to the front line.

More than 3,000 Royal Marine commandos are, meanwhile, traveling with the naval task force, which comprises about 15 ships.

It would be "more politically acceptable" for the international community to have British forces leading an occupation, Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted Alex Ashbourne, a director of London-based defense consultants, as saying.

"Because there are quite strong anti-American tensions among some of the Arab states, it would be seen as much more acceptable for the British to lead such a force," Ashbourne argued.

"One of the things that many Arab states are very worried about is an American-led peacekeeping force after the conflict is over.

"There are great concerns that the Americans want to impose their type of democracy on Iraq," she said.

In the House of Commons on Monday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair appealed for strength in what he called the "final phase" of a 12-year showdown with Iraq over its alleged development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

"We are entering the final phase of a 12-year history of disarmament of Iraq. Show weakness now and no one will ever believe us when we try to show strength in the future."

On Sunday, February 2, U.K. and U.S. defense officials unearthed details of their plans to topple Saddam Hussein.

They said that the invasion of Iraq will start with a devastating bombing campaign ahead of a massive ground attack by thousands of troops from Kuwait.

They have drawn up a list of targets, including Saddam's home town of Tikrit, as well as key ministries and properties owned by members of Saddam's family and senior Iraqi officials.

As part of the air campaign, these sites will be razed to the ground as well as other targets such as formations of Saddam's Republican Guard, Special Republican Guard, police and intelligence services.

Ireland to Protect U.S. Planes at Shannon Airport  

The Irish government, meanwhile, approved Tuesday the deployment of soldiers at Shannon airport to protect planes carrying U.S. troops and equipment to the Gulf for a possible war on Iraq on a round-the-clock basis.

"The government has a very clear duty to ensure the law of the country is upheld. Nobody has the right to damage property and to use the threat of violence or engage in mindless vandalism," AFP quoted Irish Defense Minister Michael Smith as saying.

Anti-war protestors set up a peace camp at the airport as part of a campaign against the use of Shannon to transit and refuel U.S. military planes and civilian aircraft chartered to carry troops to the Gulf.

The Irish move follows two breaches of security in a week at the airport in Ireland's southwest that resulted in attacks by anti-war activists on the same U.S. Navy Boeing 737 transport aircraft.