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23/10/2006
Blair meets Iraqi deputy PM
Prime Minister Tony Blair has held a meeting with Iraq's deputy prime minister Barham Salih regarding the presence of coalition troops in the country.
Speaking outside Number 10 before the meeting, Mr Salih said that there would be "no option" for international troops to "cut and run."
Downing Street also insisted that Mr Blair would not be pressing Mr Salih for assurances that Iraqi forces would take control of policing in southern Iraq within the next 12 months.
The talks follow comments made by Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells who suggested that local forces would be able to take over from UK and coalition troops within a year or so.
General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the British Army, also recently said that British troops should be withdrawn from Iraq as soon as possible, claiming that their presence was making the security situation in the country worse.
Commenting on the situation, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "The present strategy has failed."
The Liberal Democrats have called for a Commons debate on Britain's withdrawal from Iraq.
(KMcA/EF)
Speaking outside Number 10 before the meeting, Mr Salih said that there would be "no option" for international troops to "cut and run."
Downing Street also insisted that Mr Blair would not be pressing Mr Salih for assurances that Iraqi forces would take control of policing in southern Iraq within the next 12 months.
The talks follow comments made by Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells who suggested that local forces would be able to take over from UK and coalition troops within a year or so.
General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the British Army, also recently said that British troops should be withdrawn from Iraq as soon as possible, claiming that their presence was making the security situation in the country worse.
Commenting on the situation, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "The present strategy has failed."
The Liberal Democrats have called for a Commons debate on Britain's withdrawal from Iraq.
(KMcA/EF)
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