02/10/2007

1,000 More British Troops To Leave Iraq

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced 1,000 more British troops will leave Iraq by the end of the year.

He also confirmed Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control in the next two months.

Speaking in Baghdad, where he was visiting for the first time since becoming Prime Minister, Mr Brown said: "I'm very proud of what our troops have achieved here. I believe they've acted with great courage and professionalism and bravery and I believe their contribution to democracy in Iraq has something to make us all proud.

"What we propose to do over these next few months is to move on from a situation where we have a combat role to an overwatch role."

Mr Brown's comments on troop numbers were backed up by the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.

The latest announcement of troop withdrawals will leave around 4,000 troops in the Basra region.

Mr Brown is expected to make a speech on Iraq to the Commons next week.

(CD)

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