Menu
14/11/2005
Iraq troops return ‘reasonable’ says Blair
The withdrawal of British troops from Iraq within the next year is “entirely reasonable”, the Prime Minister said.
Speaking after a meeting with Iraqi vice-president Adil Abdul Mahdi in Downing Street, Tony Blair said: “It is entirely reasonable to talk about the withdrawal of troops from Iraq next year.”
However, Mr Blair also stressed that British forces would only withdraw “when the job is done”. He said that the troops would be withdrawn “when the Iraqi security forces are capable of dealing with the security problems.”
The Prime Minister’s comments follow those of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who had suggested that British soldiers could be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2006.
Speaking on the Jonathan Dimbleby programme on ITV, Mr Talabani called for a gradual withdrawal of troops from Iraq, with close co-ordination between coalition nations and the Iraqi authorities. However, he warned that an immediate withdrawal could spark civil war.
Defence Secretary John Reid told BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme that withdrawal could begin within the next 12 months, but that there was no “immutable timetable”. He said: “We are not saying that everyone will be out by the end of 2006, but we are saying that this process, despite the terrorist attempts to destroy it, is going relatively well. In the course of the next year, we could well see the handover to Iraqi forces at certain places in Iraq, including in our own area.”
Speaking at Downing Street on Monday, Mr Blair pledged that Britain would not leave a “security vacuum” in Iraq.
Parliamentary elections are due to be held in the country during December.
(KMcA/SP)
Speaking after a meeting with Iraqi vice-president Adil Abdul Mahdi in Downing Street, Tony Blair said: “It is entirely reasonable to talk about the withdrawal of troops from Iraq next year.”
However, Mr Blair also stressed that British forces would only withdraw “when the job is done”. He said that the troops would be withdrawn “when the Iraqi security forces are capable of dealing with the security problems.”
The Prime Minister’s comments follow those of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who had suggested that British soldiers could be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2006.
Speaking on the Jonathan Dimbleby programme on ITV, Mr Talabani called for a gradual withdrawal of troops from Iraq, with close co-ordination between coalition nations and the Iraqi authorities. However, he warned that an immediate withdrawal could spark civil war.
Defence Secretary John Reid told BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme that withdrawal could begin within the next 12 months, but that there was no “immutable timetable”. He said: “We are not saying that everyone will be out by the end of 2006, but we are saying that this process, despite the terrorist attempts to destroy it, is going relatively well. In the course of the next year, we could well see the handover to Iraqi forces at certain places in Iraq, including in our own area.”
Speaking at Downing Street on Monday, Mr Blair pledged that Britain would not leave a “security vacuum” in Iraq.
Parliamentary elections are due to be held in the country during December.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 October 2006
Blair says 'no change' in Iraq strategy
Prime Minister Tony Blair has stressed that there will be no change in his strategy on British troops in Iraq in spite of increasing criticism. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Blair said that the withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq prematurely would be “disastrous”.
Blair says 'no change' in Iraq strategy
Prime Minister Tony Blair has stressed that there will be no change in his strategy on British troops in Iraq in spite of increasing criticism. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Blair said that the withdrawal of UK troops from Iraq prematurely would be “disastrous”.
03 October 2003
Iraqi people to foot bill for reconstruction, says Rumsfeld
The Iraqi people will have to foot "the bulk" of the bill for the re-construction of the country's infrastructure, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said.
Iraqi people to foot bill for reconstruction, says Rumsfeld
The Iraqi people will have to foot "the bulk" of the bill for the re-construction of the country's infrastructure, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said.
25 October 2006
Blair defends British soldiers' presence in Iraq
Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted that there will be no withdrawal from Iraq until Iraqi forces are confident that they can handle security in the country, it has been reported.
Blair defends British soldiers' presence in Iraq
Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted that there will be no withdrawal from Iraq until Iraqi forces are confident that they can handle security in the country, it has been reported.
19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
13 October 2008
Iraqi PM Says 'British Troops No Longer Required'
British troops are no longer required to provide security in southern Iraq, the country's Prime Minister has told a British newspaper. Speaking to The Times, Nouri al-Maliki said there still may be a need for their experience in training Iraqi forces and other technical issues, but not as a "fighting" force.
Iraqi PM Says 'British Troops No Longer Required'
British troops are no longer required to provide security in southern Iraq, the country's Prime Minister has told a British newspaper. Speaking to The Times, Nouri al-Maliki said there still may be a need for their experience in training Iraqi forces and other technical issues, but not as a "fighting" force.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
