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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| UK troop levels in Iraq to fall | UK troop levels in Iraq to fall |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The number of UK troops in Iraq is set to be "significantly lower by a matter of thousands" at the end of next year, the defence secretary has said. | The number of UK troops in Iraq is set to be "significantly lower by a matter of thousands" at the end of next year, the defence secretary has said. |
| Des Browne said it was hoped that local Iraqi forces would take control of Basra, in the south of the country, in the spring. | Des Browne said it was hoped that local Iraqi forces would take control of Basra, in the south of the country, in the spring. |
| But a "drawing down" of troops did not mean a withdrawal because the Iraqis would still need back-up, he said. | But a "drawing down" of troops did not mean a withdrawal because the Iraqis would still need back-up, he said. |
| The UK has about 7,000 troops in the south of Iraq, mostly around Basra. | The UK has about 7,000 troops in the south of Iraq, mostly around Basra. |
| Mr Browne restated Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett's assertion that British-controlled Maysan province could transfer to Iraqi control in January, followed by Basra shortly afterwards. | Mr Browne restated Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett's assertion that British-controlled Maysan province could transfer to Iraqi control in January, followed by Basra shortly afterwards. |
| I can tell you that by the end of next year I expect numbers of British forces in Iraq to be significantly lower by a matter of thousands Des Browne | I can tell you that by the end of next year I expect numbers of British forces in Iraq to be significantly lower by a matter of thousands Des Browne |
| But a handover did not mean a withdrawal of troops, he said. | But a handover did not mean a withdrawal of troops, he said. |
| "Even when all of the provinces are handed over, we will still be providing a force to mentor and back up the Iraqi army and police and to protect coalition supply routes," he said. | "Even when all of the provinces are handed over, we will still be providing a force to mentor and back up the Iraqi army and police and to protect coalition supply routes," he said. |
| "I do not believe it is right to give precise numbers, nor to assume what the next 12 months will hold. | "I do not believe it is right to give precise numbers, nor to assume what the next 12 months will hold. |
| "But I can tell you that by the end of next year I expect numbers of British forces in Iraq to be significantly lower by a matter of thousands." | "But I can tell you that by the end of next year I expect numbers of British forces in Iraq to be significantly lower by a matter of thousands." |
| He would not allow "a single one of the 7,000 total British soldiers, sailors and air personnel to stay in Iraq longer than necessary", he said. | He would not allow "a single one of the 7,000 total British soldiers, sailors and air personnel to stay in Iraq longer than necessary", he said. |
| He also warned that insurgent attacks could rise in the coming weeks and months. | He also warned that insurgent attacks could rise in the coming weeks and months. |
| "As we move towards handover, perversely, the number of attacks on us may increase," he said. | "As we move towards handover, perversely, the number of attacks on us may increase," he said. |
| Iran 'concern' | Iran 'concern' |
| Mr Browne said lasting progress in Iraq could only be achieved with "security, politics and economy" with security having priority. | Mr Browne said lasting progress in Iraq could only be achieved with "security, politics and economy" with security having priority. |
| It [Iran] has influence inside Iraq, the power to turn up or down the heat, to turn on or off the dialogue Des Browne | It [Iran] has influence inside Iraq, the power to turn up or down the heat, to turn on or off the dialogue Des Browne |
| And he called on Iraq's neighbours to play their part in helping its reconstruction, saying the behaviour of Iran remained "a deep concern". | And he called on Iraq's neighbours to play their part in helping its reconstruction, saying the behaviour of Iran remained "a deep concern". |
| "It has influence inside Iraq, the power to turn up or down the heat, to turn on or off the dialogue," he said. | "It has influence inside Iraq, the power to turn up or down the heat, to turn on or off the dialogue," he said. |
| "It is not using that influence well." | "It is not using that influence well." |
| The message to Iran was simple, he said. | The message to Iran was simple, he said. |
| "Be a constructive partner. Help yourself - as well as the wider region - or face increasing isolation." | "Be a constructive partner. Help yourself - as well as the wider region - or face increasing isolation." |
| 'Vague reassurances' | |
| Conservative defence spokesman Liam Fox questioned Mr Browne's decision to "put timelines on all of this". | |
| "It may well be affected by events which leads to disillusionment back at home," he said. | |
| "Also, setting a timeline is a green light for insurgents to try to disrupt that timetable." | |
| The government must urgently lay out its plan for a phased withdrawal of troops and the transfer of security to the Iraqi security forces Lib Dem defence spokesman Nick Harvey | |
| Lib Dem defence spokesman Nick Harvey, meanwhile, said "vague reassurances" were not enough. | |
| "The government must urgently lay out its plan for a phased withdrawal of troops and the transfer of security to the Iraqi security forces," he added. | |
| Last week, announcing plans to hand over the remaining British-controlled provinces to the Iraqis, Mrs Beckett said leaving too early would make the bloodshed "even worse". | |
| A UN report has said the Iraqi death toll hit a record high in October, with more than 3,700 people killed in the continuing violence. | A UN report has said the Iraqi death toll hit a record high in October, with more than 3,700 people killed in the continuing violence. |