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Hutton hails UK progress in Iraq | Hutton hails UK progress in Iraq |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Defence Secretary John Hutton has met British troops serving in Basra for the first time since taking over the post. | Defence Secretary John Hutton has met British troops serving in Basra for the first time since taking over the post. |
Mr Hutton spent time with members of 4th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland who are training Iraqi forces. | |
He also toured markets and met local people in the southern Iraqi city. | He also toured markets and met local people in the southern Iraqi city. |
After his visit, he said British troops had achieved a "massive progression" in Iraq which could allow "a significant change to our mission" in 2009. | After his visit, he said British troops had achieved a "massive progression" in Iraq which could allow "a significant change to our mission" in 2009. |
"We want to focus on training and education to get us closer to our aim of passing full control to the Iraqi authorities," Mr Hutton said. | "We want to focus on training and education to get us closer to our aim of passing full control to the Iraqi authorities," Mr Hutton said. |
"We are getting closer to achieving this goal and I hope we can reach the point when we can consider a significant change to our mission here next year. | "We are getting closer to achieving this goal and I hope we can reach the point when we can consider a significant change to our mission here next year. |
"This massive progression is due to the efforts of every British service personnel and civilian who has served here, and I am hugely proud of what they have achieved." | "This massive progression is due to the efforts of every British service personnel and civilian who has served here, and I am hugely proud of what they have achieved." |
At the weekend, Mr Hutton visited Baghdad where he met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Defence Minister General Abdul Qadir. | At the weekend, Mr Hutton visited Baghdad where he met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Defence Minister General Abdul Qadir. |
After the meeting he announced that Britain and Iraq would begin immediate talks on the future role of UK forces. | After the meeting he announced that Britain and Iraq would begin immediate talks on the future role of UK forces. |
And he said the process of reducing personnel numbers from the current 4,100 would start early next year. | And he said the process of reducing personnel numbers from the current 4,100 would start early next year. |
While in Baghdad, he also met members of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment. | |
Mr Hutton replaced Des Browne as defence secretary in Gordon Brown's cabinet reshuffle earlier this month. | Mr Hutton replaced Des Browne as defence secretary in Gordon Brown's cabinet reshuffle earlier this month. |