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MoD confirms Iraq troop reduction MoD confirms Iraq troop reduction
(about 3 hours later)
The number of British troops in Iraq will be cut to 5,000 by the end of 2007, the Ministry of Defence has said.The number of British troops in Iraq will be cut to 5,000 by the end of 2007, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The written announcement by Defence Secretary Des Browne confirms plans announced by former prime minister Tony Blair in February this year.The written announcement by Defence Secretary Des Browne confirms plans announced by former prime minister Tony Blair in February this year.
Mr Browne said a total of 500 troops would be withdrawn by the end of the year, when control of Basra Palace will have passed to the Iraqi authorities.Mr Browne said a total of 500 troops would be withdrawn by the end of the year, when control of Basra Palace will have passed to the Iraqi authorities.
Troop numbers were cut from 7,100 to the current 5,500 earlier this year.Troop numbers were cut from 7,100 to the current 5,500 earlier this year.
However, Mr Browne said troop deployments would continue to "depend on conditions on the ground, in particular the security situation in the south and progress on handover of security responsibility to the Iraqi civil authorities in Basra province".However, Mr Browne said troop deployments would continue to "depend on conditions on the ground, in particular the security situation in the south and progress on handover of security responsibility to the Iraqi civil authorities in Basra province".
Therefore, UK force levels in Iraq would remain under review, he added.Therefore, UK force levels in Iraq would remain under review, he added.
Helmand deploymentsHelmand deployments
The routine statement from the defence secretary said the next troop changeover in Iraq will take place in November and December, with 4 Mechanised Brigade replacing 1 Mechanised Brigade as the operational lead.The routine statement from the defence secretary said the next troop changeover in Iraq will take place in November and December, with 4 Mechanised Brigade replacing 1 Mechanised Brigade as the operational lead.
Members of the reserve forces will continue to deploy to Iraq, with 420 call-out notices to be issued for 340 posts.Members of the reserve forces will continue to deploy to Iraq, with 420 call-out notices to be issued for 340 posts.
Mr Browne also announced troops would change over in Afghanistan in October.Mr Browne also announced troops would change over in Afghanistan in October.
The current lead formation, 12 Mechanised Brigade, would be replaced by 52 Infantry Brigade, he said.The current lead formation, 12 Mechanised Brigade, would be replaced by 52 Infantry Brigade, he said.
An additional troop of Viking armoured vehicles manned by Royal Marines and the Queen's Royal Lancers will be sent to help existing forces in Helmand province.An additional troop of Viking armoured vehicles manned by Royal Marines and the Queen's Royal Lancers will be sent to help existing forces in Helmand province.
British troops will lead Nato control of Kandahar airfield from 1 August, Mr Browne said.British troops will lead Nato control of Kandahar airfield from 1 August, Mr Browne said.
The MoD also announced that "elements of Prince Harry's regiment", the Household Cavalry, are going to Afghanistan.
'Next chapter''Next chapter'
In February, Mr Blair announced that troop numbers in Iraq would be cut to 5,000 by late summer.In February, Mr Blair announced that troop numbers in Iraq would be cut to 5,000 by late summer.
He said the remaining troops will stay into 2008, but the Iraqis would "write the next chapter" in Basra's history.He said the remaining troops will stay into 2008, but the Iraqis would "write the next chapter" in Basra's history.
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said the announcement of Iraq troop reductions was in line with expectations.BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said the announcement of Iraq troop reductions was in line with expectations.
But she added that it also signalled that the new Prime Minister Gordon Brown wanted to move the focus to other areas of policy in Iraq, including the political process, the economic situation and "the battle for hearts and minds".But she added that it also signalled that the new Prime Minister Gordon Brown wanted to move the focus to other areas of policy in Iraq, including the political process, the economic situation and "the battle for hearts and minds".