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10/12/2007
PM Praises Basra Troops As 'Pull-Out' Looms
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has praised British troops in Iraq as he announced that Basra will be handed back to Iraqi control within two weeks.
Mr Brown made the announcement during a surprise visit to troops in Iraq.
The Prime Minister praised the troops for their professionalism, courage and dedication to the their country and also passed on thanks from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki to the troops for helping "rebuild the democracy of Iraq".
Mr Brown said: "It is because of all the operations that we have done over these last few months, indeed over these last few years, and particularly in recent times, that the security situation has not only improved but he (Mr Maliki) was able to tell me that he is now recommending that we move to provincial Iraqi control within two weeks, so that Iraqis can take far more responsibility for the security of the country. And, as you know, many of you have been training up Iraqi security forces and many of have trained up the armed forces, some here have been training the police.
"There are now 30,000 police and armed forces trained up as a result of our work and the work of other people. And, so as a result of that we can move to provincial Iraqi control over the next few weeks."
The Prime Minister continued: "We are incredibly proud of what you do. I know many of you will not be home at Christmas and will want to remain obviously in communication through internet, and email, and telephone with your loved ones, but I do appreciate, as the whole country does, the spirit of service that means that you are serving the here the national interest at Christmas time.
"So let me wish you a Happy Christmas, say you have achieved great things during the course of the year, pay tribute to your professionalism, to your courage, to your spirit of public service and your patriotism, and to wish all of you well in the New Year ahead. Thank you for everything you do. The whole British people are proud of everything you have achieved and I am so grateful for everything you do. Thank you all very much."
The remaining 4,500 UK troops in Iraq will now focus on training local forces, before troop numbers will be reduced to 2,500 next spring.
(KMcA)
Mr Brown made the announcement during a surprise visit to troops in Iraq.
The Prime Minister praised the troops for their professionalism, courage and dedication to the their country and also passed on thanks from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki to the troops for helping "rebuild the democracy of Iraq".
Mr Brown said: "It is because of all the operations that we have done over these last few months, indeed over these last few years, and particularly in recent times, that the security situation has not only improved but he (Mr Maliki) was able to tell me that he is now recommending that we move to provincial Iraqi control within two weeks, so that Iraqis can take far more responsibility for the security of the country. And, as you know, many of you have been training up Iraqi security forces and many of have trained up the armed forces, some here have been training the police.
"There are now 30,000 police and armed forces trained up as a result of our work and the work of other people. And, so as a result of that we can move to provincial Iraqi control over the next few weeks."
The Prime Minister continued: "We are incredibly proud of what you do. I know many of you will not be home at Christmas and will want to remain obviously in communication through internet, and email, and telephone with your loved ones, but I do appreciate, as the whole country does, the spirit of service that means that you are serving the here the national interest at Christmas time.
"So let me wish you a Happy Christmas, say you have achieved great things during the course of the year, pay tribute to your professionalism, to your courage, to your spirit of public service and your patriotism, and to wish all of you well in the New Year ahead. Thank you for everything you do. The whole British people are proud of everything you have achieved and I am so grateful for everything you do. Thank you all very much."
The remaining 4,500 UK troops in Iraq will now focus on training local forces, before troop numbers will be reduced to 2,500 next spring.
(KMcA)
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