Britain and Kuwait have denied reports that their relations are under strain after British aircraft used Kuwaiti bases to launch attacks on Iraq last week.

The British Foreign office said the reports -- which appeared in several British newspapers -- were unfounded.

A spokesman at the Kuwaiti embassy in London also denied them.

However, the spokesman said there was some dismay that Kuwait was highlighted as if it was the only Gulf state which cooperated in the British and American air raids.

He said Saudi Arabia and Qatar had also been involved, but Kuwait's openness had led to it being portayed as an outcast in the Arab world.