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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.
The withdrawal announcement comes after at least 18 people were killed and dozens wounded in a twin bomb attack in Baghdad on Wednesday.The withdrawal announcement comes after at least 18 people were killed and dozens wounded in a twin bomb attack in Baghdad on Wednesday.
At a press conference, Mr Brown said: "We have agreed today that the mission will end no later than 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 it was not expected to be used.However, both leaders indicated it was not expected to be used.
'New dimensions''New dimensions'
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."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."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.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."
The partnership between the two countries would "continue to take on new dimensions and will be strengthened through cooperation in all areas", they added. "The partnership between the two countries would "continue to take on new dimensions and will be strengthened through cooperation in all areas", they added. "
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.
Between 200 and 300 military advisers were likely to remain in place to help the Iraqi government, he added.Between 200 and 300 military advisers were likely to remain in place to help the Iraqi government, he added.