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UK troops to leave Iraq 'by July' UK troops to leave Iraq 'by July'
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown and Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki say UK forces will have "completed their tasks" and leave the country by the end of July next year.Gordon Brown and Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki say UK forces will have "completed their tasks" and leave the country by the end of July next year.
The two leaders' joint statement came as they held talks in Baghdad.The two leaders' joint statement came as they held talks in Baghdad.
They said the partnership between the two countries would continue, with Mr Brown praising UK forces' for making Iraq a "better place". They said the partnership between the two countries would continue, with Mr Brown praising UK forces for making Iraq a "better place".
Mr Brown's trip, with Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, was not pre-announced.Mr Brown's trip, with Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, was not pre-announced.
'New era''New era'
There are currently about 4,100 UK troops serving in Basra, southern Iraq.There are currently about 4,100 UK troops serving in Basra, southern Iraq.
At a press conference, Mr Brown said: "We have agreed today that the mission will end no later than the 31 May next year. At a press conference, Mr Brown said: "We have agreed today that the mission will end no later than 31 May next year.
"Our troops will be coming home within the next two months (after that)." "Our troops will be coming home within the next two months [after that]."
He added: "The biggest reduction will be at the end part of the period we are talking about."He added: "The biggest reduction will be at the end part of the period we are talking about."
Mr Maliki confirmed that the agreement included a provision for the Iraqi government to request an extension of the British military presence.Mr Maliki confirmed that the agreement included a provision for the Iraqi government to request an extension of the British military presence.
However, both leaders indicated that it was not expected to be used. However, both leaders indicated it was not expected to be used.
'New dimensions''New dimensions'
In their joint statement, they said: "The role played by the UK combat forces is drawing to a close. Mr Brown said: "We have made a huge contribution and of course given people an economic stake in the future of Iraq. We leave Iraq a better place."
He added: "I am proud of the contribution British forces have made. They are the pride of Britain and the best in the world."
In their joint statement, the leaders said: "The role played by the UK combat forces is drawing to a close.
"These forces will have completed their tasks in the first half of 2009 and will then leave Iraq.""These forces will have completed their tasks in the first half of 2009 and will then leave Iraq."
They added: "The partnership between the two countries will continue to take on new dimensions and will be strengthened through cooperation in all areas due to the prominent position of the UK within the EU and the United Nations Security Council. The partnership between the two countries would "continue to take on new dimensions and will be strengthened through cooperation in all areas", they added. "
"This relationship of cooperation and friendship between Iraq and the UK is entering a new era and will yield continuing cooperation that will last for many years to come." BBC defence correspondent Paul Adams said the withdrawal of UK troops was expected to start in the spring.
BBC defence correspondent Paul Adams said the withdrawal of UK troops was expected to start in the spring and that 200 to 300 military advisers were likely to remain in place to help the Iraqi government. Between 200 and 300 military advisers were likely to remain in place to help the Iraqi government, he added.