British break-in into Iraqi government jail did not effect relations

Hundreds of Iraqis demonstrated in Basra city, south Iraq, including several policemen in protest of the British forces breaking into the government crimes unit office to forcibly free two British soldiers.

The demonstrators called for returning back the two soldiers and bringing them before the Iraqi judiciary. They also called for removing the commander of the governorate police and accused him of being a hireling for the British. The Iraqi police arrested the two British disguised in Arab garments riding a civilian car and carrying explosives.

Commenting on that, the Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and the British defense office secretary John Reid sought to alleviate the impact of these incidents, and the two men stressed continued confidence between the two countries.

Jaafari said after his meeting with Reid in London that the Basra act will not affect the relations between Britain and Iraq, noting that the presence of the British forces in Iraq is for fighting "terrorism."

Reid made similar statements considering that the Basra incidents did not lead to a basic break in confidence between the British and Iraq governments. He said that the British forces will continue to remain in Iraq until a democratic government is established and the foundation of a security and army forces able of keeping order and security.