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Miliband in Iraq to visit troops Iraq open for business - Miliband
(about 3 hours later)
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has flown into Baghdad on a surprise visit, ahead of the July pullout of UK troops. Foreign Secretary David Miliband has declared Iraq "open for business" and a good place for UK firms to do business, during a surprise visit to the country.
He is expected to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari during his first visit since April 2008. After meeting his Iraqi counterpart, Mr Miliband told a press conference the UK was committed to investing in Iraq.
Mr Miliband is also due to meet British troops stationed in the southern province of Basra on Friday. The UK-based Mesopotamia Petroleum Company has just agreed a £277m ($400m) joint venture to drill for oil in Iraq.
Mr Miliband is expected to visit British forces in Basra on Friday, as they prepare for withdrawal in July.
He will also meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during his two-day visit, his first since April 2008.
UK forces have lost 178 troops since the 2003 invasion and currently have a 4,100-strong force in the country.UK forces have lost 178 troops since the 2003 invasion and currently have a 4,100-strong force in the country.
They handed over control of Basra airport, the main military base in southern Iraq, on 1 January and have been training the Iraqi army. They handed over control of Basra airport, the main military base in southern Iraq, on 1 January and have been training the Iraqi army. Britain will be a major investor in Iraq David Miliband
Mr Miliband is expected to see evidence of improved stability in the region when he meets members of the newly-elected provincial council. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said Britain's mission will be completed "by the end of May, or earlier" and withdrawal is scheduled by the end of July.
The Foreign Office said discussions with Mr al-Maliki and senior figures were likely to focus on trade, educational and cultural links, the Middle East peace process and human rights. Mr Miliband told the press conference: "With the improving security situation... our relationship becomes one defined not just by defence and security but also by politics, by economics, by culture and by education."
Foreign investment The deal between the Mesopotamia Petroleum Company and Iraq's oil ministry will see 60 oil wells drilled per month, each producing 2,000 barrels of crude per day.
Students taking advantage of a UK-funded scholarship scheme to help bright Iraqis attend university in Britain will also talk to Mr Miliband about the scheme. "This sends an important signal, not just to the people of Iraq about the long-term economic commitment of Britain to Iraq, but also... to British business [that] Iraq is open for business," said Mr Miliband.
Mr Miliband's visits comes after senior figures including French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also visiting the country this month.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said during a visit to Iraq in December that Britain's mission would already be completed "by the end of May, or earlier".
Iraqi leaders recently invited foreign firms to invest in the oil-rich state as security improves.Iraqi leaders recently invited foreign firms to invest in the oil-rich state as security improves.
The British-based Mesopotamia Petroleum Company is reported to have just agreed a joint venture with the Iraqi industry to drill 60 oil wells per month, each producing 2,000 barrels of crude per day. Praise for Obama
Mr Miliband said a number of UK companies were already interested, not just within the oil industry but in sectors such as education.
"Britain will be a major investor in Iraq," he added.
Mr Miliband also praised US President Barack Obama's administration for its careful and "wholly appropriate" approach to pulling out troops.
Mr al-Maliki has said his country was not worried by Mr Obama's plans for an accelerated withdrawal, as the president prepares to announce a timeline for the process.
The Foreign Office said Mr Miliband's discussions with Mr al-Maliki were likely to focus on trade, education and cultural links, the Middle East peace process and human rights.
Students taking advantage of a UK-funded scholarship scheme to help bright Iraqis attend university in Britain will also talk to Mr Miliband about the scheme.
Mr Miliband's visits comes after senior figures including French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also visited the country this month.