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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'No more need' for British troops | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| British troops are no longer needed to maintain security in southern Iraq as the situation has changed, the country's prime minister has said. | |
| Nouri al-Maliki told the Times there might still be a need for their experience in training Iraqi forces. | Nouri al-Maliki told the Times there might still be a need for their experience in training Iraqi forces. |
| He said a "page had been turned" in the country's relationship with the UK. | He said a "page had been turned" in the country's relationship with the UK. |
| But he criticised Britain's decision to move forces from a base at a palace in Basra to an airport on the edge of the city last year. | But he criticised Britain's decision to move forces from a base at a palace in Basra to an airport on the edge of the city last year. |
| He said: "They stayed away from the confrontation, which gave the gangs and militia the chance to control the city. | He said: "They stayed away from the confrontation, which gave the gangs and militia the chance to control the city. |
| "The situation deteriorated so badly that corrupted youths were carrying swords and cutting the throats of women and children. The citizens of Basra called out for our help . . . and we moved to regain the city." | "The situation deteriorated so badly that corrupted youths were carrying swords and cutting the throats of women and children. The citizens of Basra called out for our help . . . and we moved to regain the city." |
| On the presence of British troops in southern Iraq, Mr al-Maliki said: "We thank them for the role they have played, but I think that their stay is not necessary for maintaining security and control." | On the presence of British troops in southern Iraq, Mr al-Maliki said: "We thank them for the role they have played, but I think that their stay is not necessary for maintaining security and control." |
| 'Friendship' | 'Friendship' |
| He said he looked forward to a friendly relationship with the UK government. | He said he looked forward to a friendly relationship with the UK government. |
| "The Iraqi arena is open for British companies and British friendship, for economic exchange and positive co-operation in science and education," he said. | "The Iraqi arena is open for British companies and British friendship, for economic exchange and positive co-operation in science and education," he said. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has signalled he expects troop numbers in Iraq to be cut next year. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has signalled he expects troop numbers in Iraq to be cut next year. |
| It is thought the 4,100 British troops will be reduced as they take on a more diplomatic role. | It is thought the 4,100 British troops will be reduced as they take on a more diplomatic role. |
| Mr al-Maliki said he was concerned discussions over the continued presence of UK troops beyond the end of year had not yet begun. | |
| The UN Security Council mandate authorising the presence of UK forces in Iraq is due to expire on 31 December. | The UN Security Council mandate authorising the presence of UK forces in Iraq is due to expire on 31 December. |
| They stayed away from the confrontation, which gave the gangs and militias the chance to control the city Nouri al-Maliki | They stayed away from the confrontation, which gave the gangs and militias the chance to control the city Nouri al-Maliki |
| A status of forces agreement is needed to allow their continued presence - but Mr al-Maliki said discussions over its renewal had not yet started. | |
| The US government is in negotiations with Iraq over the status of its troops after the end of the year. | The US government is in negotiations with Iraq over the status of its troops after the end of the year. |
| Without an agreement, or an extended UN mandate, UK troops would "lose their legal cover and have to leave Iraq", he said. | Without an agreement, or an extended UN mandate, UK troops would "lose their legal cover and have to leave Iraq", he said. |
| "To avoid reaching the critical deadline, I wish for the negotiations between the two sides to start quickly to determine what elements of the force remain and their specialities," he added. | "To avoid reaching the critical deadline, I wish for the negotiations between the two sides to start quickly to determine what elements of the force remain and their specialities," he added. |
| An MoD spokesman said the decision to withdraw from Basra Palace was taken jointly with the Iraq government and the US on a "very sound military rationale". | |
| He said: "Our presence in Basra city was a motivating factor for a large proportion of the violence in Basra, and the decision to withdraw UK forces allowed the Iraqi Security Forces to develop lasting solutions to the security challenges in Basra. | |
| "The transformation of the security situation in Basra is a vindication of that strategy." | |
| The government was in discussion with coalition partners and the government of Iraq over the status of forces agreement, he added. | |
| "This is with a view to ensuring that any future UK military assistance to Iraq remains on a sound legal footing," he said. | "This is with a view to ensuring that any future UK military assistance to Iraq remains on a sound legal footing," he said. |