This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6380933.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Blair announces Iraq troops cut Blair announces Iraq troops cut
(30 minutes later)
Prime Minister Tony Blair has confirmed that 1,600 British troops will return from Iraq within the next few months. Prime Minister Tony Blair has told MPs that 1,600 British troops will return from Iraq within the next few months.
Mr Blair told MPs the 7,100 serving troops would be cut to 5,500 shortly, with hopes that another 500 could leave by the end of summer. He said the 7,100 serving troops would be cut to 5,500 soon, with hopes that 500 more will leave later in the year.
He said some soldiers would remain into 2008, helping secure supply routes and borders and to support Iraqis. Mr Blair said some soldiers, stationed at Basra air base, would remain into 2008 to help secure supply routes, the Iran border and to support Iraqis.
Basra remained a "dangerous" place but he said that Iraqis would "write the next chapter" in its history.Basra remained a "dangerous" place but he said that Iraqis would "write the next chapter" in its history.
Mr Blair said the troops reduction followed the success of Operation Sinbad to allow Iraqis to take the lead in frontline security in Basra.Mr Blair said the troops reduction followed the success of Operation Sinbad to allow Iraqis to take the lead in frontline security in Basra.
COALITION FORCES US -132,000UK - 7,100South Korea - 3,200Poland - 900Georgia - 800-850Australia - 900Romania - 600-865Denmark - 460El Salvador - 380Bulgaria - 150 Sources: Brookings Institution; Globalsecurity.org; media reports Analysis: Political implications COALITION FORCES US -132,000UK - 7,100South Korea - 2,300Poland - 900Georgia - 800Australia - 900Romania - 600Denmark - 460El Salvador - 380Bulgaria - 150 Sources: Brookings Institution; Globalsecurity.org; media reports Analysis: Political implications
He acknowledged that Basra was still "difficult and sometimes dangerous", but he said levels of murder and kidnappings had dropped and reconstruction was under way.He acknowledged that Basra was still "difficult and sometimes dangerous", but he said levels of murder and kidnappings had dropped and reconstruction was under way.
"The problems remain formidable," he said."The problems remain formidable," he said.
"What all of this means is not that Basra is how we want it to be but the next chapter in Basra's history can be written by the Iraqis.""What all of this means is not that Basra is how we want it to be but the next chapter in Basra's history can be written by the Iraqis."
He said that it was important to show the Iraqis that Britain - and the other multinational force members - did not intend their forces to stay longer than necessary.He said that it was important to show the Iraqis that Britain - and the other multinational force members - did not intend their forces to stay longer than necessary.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said a reduction in British forces in Iraq was to be welcomed. But he added: "The speed at which this happens depends, of course, in part on what we do, what the Iraqi authorities themselves do, but also on the attitude of those we are together fighting. Their claim to be fighting for the liberation of their country is a palpable lie. "
"But I still believe that our presence exacerbates the security situation and we should have a target for the withdrawal of all British troops by the end of October this year," he said. Responding, Conservative leader David Cameron said: "That news will be welcomed in this House, in the country and especially to the families of those serving in Iraq over the coming months.
Inquiry "We owe a huge debt to the professionalism, the courage and dedication shown by our armed forces serving in Iraq as elsewhere."
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told BBC Breakfast he backed the withdrawal, but questions remained to be answered. 'Huge debt'
Britain needed to know whether the Iraqi forces were ready to take over the security of Basra and whether reduced numbers of British troops would be able to defend themselves against siege, he said. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, whose party opposed the war in Iraq, said: "The unpalatable truth, Mr Speaker, is this, that we will leave behind a country on the brink on civil war, where reconstruction has stalled, where corruption is endemic and a region that is a lot less stable than it was in 2003.
"This is a long way short of the beacon of democracy for the Middle East which was promised some four years ago."
This is a slower withdrawal than many in the army had hoped for BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in fullThis is a slower withdrawal than many in the army had hoped for BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
"We need to ask him [Mr Blair] whether he is going to launch the full-ranging inquiry into the handling of the Iraq war that I think people of all opinions and all political parties want to see."
A total of 132 British Armed Forces personnel have died serving in Iraq since March 2003. The funeral of the latest - that of Private Luke Simpson, of the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment - is due to take place on Wednesday.A total of 132 British Armed Forces personnel have died serving in Iraq since March 2003. The funeral of the latest - that of Private Luke Simpson, of the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment - is due to take place on Wednesday.
The proposed cut in numbers of British troops comes at the same time as 21,500 more US troops are being sent to Iraq.The proposed cut in numbers of British troops comes at the same time as 21,500 more US troops are being sent to Iraq.
The White House has confirmed that President Bush and Mr Blair had discussed the plans on Tuesday.The White House has confirmed that President Bush and Mr Blair had discussed the plans on Tuesday.
A spokesman said: "The United States shares the same goal of turning responsibility over to the Iraqi Security Forces and reducing the number of American troops in Iraq."A spokesman said: "The United States shares the same goal of turning responsibility over to the Iraqi Security Forces and reducing the number of American troops in Iraq."
However, opponents of Mr Bush's strategy have seized on Britain's move and are using it to attack the president.However, opponents of Mr Bush's strategy have seized on Britain's move and are using it to attack the president.
There are approximately 132,000 US personnel currently in Iraq accounting for more than 90% of the occupying forceIraq is divided into 5 main military zones. The US controls the north and west of the country, as well as BaghdadThe Centre-South is run Polish forces, but US troops lead lead any major operations against insurgents in this areaThe UK's 7,100 soldiers are based in the South East zone. Three provinces - Muthanna, al-Najaf and Dhi Qar are now under provisional Iraqi control. Basra and Maysan provinces are expected to follow suit in the first half of 2007