UK to reduce forces in Iraq in May
Iraq-UK, Politics, 3/14/2006

Britain has decided to reduce its forces in Iraq at 10%, but this does not mean handing over security responsibilities to the Iraqi security forces.

The British defense secretary John Reed said addressing the house of commons that London will start as from the beginning of May to withdraw 800 soldiers out of 7,000 who are deployed in south Iraq. He justified the decision by what he described the increasing readiness showed by the Iraqi forces, 230,000 troopers, who are joined on monthly bases by 5,000.

However, Reed stressed that the announced reduction is not part of a plan to hand over security responsibilities to the Iraqis, adding that the British forces will continue supervising security operations it had shouldered and those by the Iraqi forces.

He said that a joint committee including member states in the military alliance led by the US as well as the Iraqi authorities will meet in the coming months to define which governorates that can be handed over security responsibilities completely.

The British minister stressed that his country's forces will remain there as long as there is a need for it and as far as it is wanted to implement the mission. He denied news that reducing the British forces in Iraq is linked to backing the British forces in south Afghanistan which will be supported by 4600 troops added to other 1100 soldiers serving there.

Previous Stories:
  British soldier resigns in protest at 'illegal' Iraq war   (3/13/2006)
  London discloses plans to withdraw from Iraq   (3/8/2006)
  Jaafari: formation of government is internal decision   (2/22/2006)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search