British Force Reductions As Iraq Security Improves

There is to be a reduction in UK troops in Iraq, according to a leading military figure.

Major General Barney White-Spunner, who has returned to London this week after six months commanding British Forces in Iraq said security was now "so good" that soldiers could "stop and eat kebabs on the city's streets".

Maj Gen White-Spunner said there was obvious "scope" for the UK Government to review troop numbers.

"The change in Basra is really very marked. As Iraq gets better and better, it will allow force reductions," he said.

The outgoing commander said that Christians and Sunni Muslims were also returning to the city and that he was confident the militias would not regain control and there was an "overwhelming feeling of optimism" in Basra.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown told MPs before the summer recess the 4,100 UK troops currently serving in Iraq would stay "for the next few months".

Mr Brown also said that there has been a "marked improvement" in conditions in Basra and the focus of the British armed forces was to "complete the task of training and mentoring the 14th Division of the Iraqi Army".

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said that although it was hoped the UK military presence would decrease "significantly" in the future, it was "too early" to discuss the "size and shape of a reduced UK forces' footprint".

He added that the change of the mission would be based on factors including the conditions on the ground and the plans of coalition partners.

The spokesman also said that the US was "fully supportive" of the UK's current position and proposals.

Britain had planned to cut troops to 2,500 by the start of this year, but a resurgence of violence in Basra late last year meant plans had to be put on hold.

Maj Gen White-Spunner says that Iraq's security forces have estimated there are barely 1,500 hardcore militants left in the city, out of a population of nearly three million.

See: British Troop Withdrawal From Iraq 'Unlikely'

(DS)