Charles Kennedy defended voting against the Gulf conflict

In his keynote speech at the three-day conference in Swansea's Guildhall, he said: "As our troops are sent into battle we support them.

"They are the bravest and the best. We wish them success and above all a safe return home."

The conference marks the start of the party's campaign ahead of the Welsh Assembly election on 1 May but may be overshadowed by events in the Gulf.

Support

In his speech on the conference's first evening, Mr Kennedy defended the party's anti-war position but sought to show his support for UK troops, who have already suffered casualties as they head for Basra, Iraq's second city.

He said: "We voiced the reservations which people had in all parties about joining an attack without the support of the UN and before the weapons inspectors had finished their work.

One way in which the authority of the UN could be restored would be for it to assume responsibility for coping with these humanitarian problems Charles Kennedy

"Nonetheless, we recognise that the House of Commons voted in favour of military action. We accept that vote.

The party president said he did not believe Tony Blair had made enough preparations for the humanitarian operation needed to feed and shelter Iraqis uprooted by the conflict.

Camps

"He said: "It's of great importance that the Government gives proper consideration to the humanitarian crisis which is about to overwhelm Iraq.

"I do not believe that there has been sufficient preparation for what lies ahead in this respect."

His comments came as it emerged that troops serving in the largely Welsh tank regiment, the Queen's Dragoon Guards, have been charged with building the first camps for the prisoners-on-war to have surrendered to coalition forces.

Liberal Democrats want a swift, successful war

He said damage has been done to the United Nations by the way the prime minister and his US allies has gone about taking decisions in the run-up to the conflict.

"One way in which the authority of the UN could be restored would be for it to assume responsibility for coping with these humanitarian problems," he said.

"It is time that we saw evidence that there is a proper international plan for dealing with these huge problems."

He described the Gulf war as "the most important issue of the day" but also spoke of matters closer to home as the party - which is in a coalition with Labour in the Welsh Assembly - prepares for the assembly elections.

Manifesto

He said the Liberal Democrat element of the power-sharing at Cardiff Bay had made the difference between "the old politics and the new politics", proving that policies on student grants, free personal care for the elderly and proportional representation for elections could be shown to work.

"Here in Wales, we are fighting our first election for over 80 years as a party of government - we have a proud record to defend."

"Look at the contrast between the year when Labour tried to govern on their own in Wales and the years of the partnership."

The conference is expected to discuss the party's draft assembly election manifesto which includes hospitals, schools and sports as a top priority.