Prince Harry has long stated his desire to serve as an active officer

Senior figures in the Iraqi government have said Prince Harry should not serve in the country.

MPs from across the political spectrum told the BBC that the prince, who is due to go to Iraq in the next few weeks, would be a magnet for terrorism.

Shia figures said the prince would be attacked, while Sunnis feared him becoming a "target prize".

The Ministry of Defence has said his deployment with the Army is under constant review.

'At risk'

Shia MP Falah Shenshel, from political group the Sadr bloc, said: "Prince Harry, with all respect and dignity, must stay in his own country or he may expose himself to risk or any other thing.

"He has to respect the will of the Iraqi people, and the sovereignty and independence of Iraq and not reinforce the occupation."

Allaa Abdulrazzak, of the Sunni Tawafuq bloc, said Prince Harry should not come to the country as it could damage the royal family's future relationship with a new Iraq.

If he stayed away, he would be able to say he did not participate in the Iraqi occupation, he added.

In February, Clarence House and the MoD confirmed the prince would be deployed to Iraq, saying he would take on a "normal troop commander's role" rather than a desk job.

The prince has long stated his wish to be in active service.