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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hutton makes surprise Iraq visit | Hutton makes surprise Iraq visit |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The new defence secretary, John Hutton, is on an unannounced visit to Baghdad to meet Iraqi leaders and UK troops. | The new defence secretary, John Hutton, is on an unannounced visit to Baghdad to meet Iraqi leaders and UK troops. |
| It is his first trip to Iraq since he took over the job from Des Browne just over two weeks ago. | It is his first trip to Iraq since he took over the job from Des Browne just over two weeks ago. |
| The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad said it was partly a "getting to know you" visit to a country where more than 4,000 British forces remain stationed. | The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad said it was partly a "getting to know you" visit to a country where more than 4,000 British forces remain stationed. |
| But, he said, there were also pressing issues to discuss, such as the future role of UK troops. | But, he said, there were also pressing issues to discuss, such as the future role of UK troops. |
| Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said earlier this month British combat troops were no longer needed to maintain security in southern Iraq. | |
| Although he wants some to stay on and continue training Iraqi security forces and the navy, exact numbers and the timetable for a reduction in UK troop levels have yet to be negotiated. | Although he wants some to stay on and continue training Iraqi security forces and the navy, exact numbers and the timetable for a reduction in UK troop levels have yet to be negotiated. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has signalled he expects troop numbers in the country to be cut next year. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has signalled he expects troop numbers in the country to be cut next year. |
| It is thought the 4,100 British troops, now based only at Basra airport, will be reduced as they take on a more diplomatic role. | |
| Status of forces | Status of forces |
| Another urgent issue on the agenda is the legal mandate which covers British forces in Iraq. | Another urgent issue on the agenda is the legal mandate which covers British forces in Iraq. |
| The current UN Security Council mandate authorising their presence is due to expire on 31 December. | The current UN Security Council mandate authorising their presence is due to expire on 31 December. |
| The US has already negotiated a bilateral status of forces agreement for its troops, but it has been heavily delayed. | The US has already negotiated a bilateral status of forces agreement for its troops, but it has been heavily delayed. |
| Our correspondent said the British government was hoping to use that as a template. | Our correspondent said the British government was hoping to use that as a template. |
| If nothing was agreed by the end of the year, Iraq would have to go back to the UN to ask for a renewal of its mandate to cover the activities of all coalition forces, he added. | If nothing was agreed by the end of the year, Iraq would have to go back to the UN to ask for a renewal of its mandate to cover the activities of all coalition forces, he added. |