UK's Darling-sees global recovery next yr, risk remain

LONDON, Sept 3 (Reuters) - The global economy should recover next year but risks remain and countries cannot withdraw stimulus yet, British finance minister Alistair Darling said on the eve of a London meeting with his G20 colleagues.

In a speech in Scotland on Thursday, Darling, who will be hosting the Sept. 4-5 meeting, emphasised the need to deliver on pledges made in April on stimulus, tax havens, resources for the International Monetary Fund and financial sector reform.

"I believe we can be confident about our prospects for 2010. But there are still uncertainties and risks that we have to confront," he said, according to the text of his remarks.

"And the biggest risk is to think that the job's done -- that recovery is guaranteed. No country can be complacent -- we've got to see this through."

He said that it was essential that the economies were supported through targeted public spending, rather than cutting back at a "crucial time."

"I am confident that we will see a global recovery next year," he said, pointing to world stock markets having risen now for five months running, the U.S. housing market stabilising, and the economies in Asia growing steadily.

"There are now visible signs that global confidence is returning ... That is why I continue to believe that we will see growth in our economy resume around the turn of the year."