IN ONE of the bloodiest days in Iraq since major conflict was declared over, dozens of people were killed in a series of attacks across the country yesterday.

Iraqi children had just run across to US troops for sweets in Baghdad when the bombs exploded, killing at least 35 youngsters.

The atrocities happened on the day Prime Minister Tony Blair defeated a Labour Party motion to withdraw troops from Iraq.

Three bombs - at least two of them suicide attacks - in Baghdad's al-Amel neighbourhood, caused the largest death toll of children in any insurgent attack since the conflict in Iraq began 17 months ago.

The children, who were still on school holiday, said they had been drawn to the scene by US soldiers handing out sweets.

The blasts went off in swift succession, killing 42 and wounding 141 others, including ten US soldiers.

The bombs targeted a ceremony in which residents were celebrating the opening of a new sewage system, and a US military convoy was passing by at the same time.

Meanwhile, delegates at Brighton rallied behind the Prime Minister by rejecting a left-wing motion aimed at forcing him to set an early date for withdrawal.

The vote spared Mr Blair an embarrassing defeat over the issue that has dominated the conference.

Instead, a statement agreed on Wednesday stated that British troops should remain in Iraq "only at the request of the Iraqi government" in the run-up to elections in January.

A United Nations mandate for the military presence will run out in December next year, unless Iraq requests withdrawal before then.

Pat Healey, a London delegate who moved the rebel motion, said British troops in Iraq were "part of the problem, not part of the solution".

She told the conference: "Some people say it could lead to a bloodbath, but the bloodbath is already happening."

But Foreign Secretary Jack Straw warned a quick withdrawal of British troops would be disastrous for progress in rebuilding Iraq.

Insisting the situation was improving in some parts, he said the vast majority of the victims of the violence were ordinary Iraqis, not Western workers or soldiers.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon also appealed for party unity, saying: "I know there are those in our party and in our country that opposed our intervention in Iraq. I respect their opinion but, whatever your views, we must now work to defeat terrorism.

"Now is the time to unite to help the Iraqi people rebuild their country, their economy, their way of life."

Victory was assured for the Prime Minister after he secured the support of the big four unions, who together control 40 per cent of conference votes.