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_politics/6966085.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Troops still have Iraq role - PM Troops still have Iraq role - PM
(about 9 hours later)
British troops still have "an important job to do" in Iraq, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said.British troops still have "an important job to do" in Iraq, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said.
Mr Brown said in a letter to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell that the military still had "clear obligations to discharge". Mr Brown said in a letter to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell the military still had "clear obligations to discharge".
The prime minister said decisions would continue to be taken on advice from military and other experts. The prime minister said he would not set a timetable for withdrawal because it would undermine those efforts.
Sir Menzies had said the level of casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan was now "unacceptable".Sir Menzies had said the level of casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan was now "unacceptable".
The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has echoed Mr Brown's comments in a speech which has only just been made public.
In a speech in June, Gen Dannatt said British troops must prepare for a "generation of conflict" and continue to work for "some form of success" in Iraq.
'Magnificent job''Magnificent job'
Mr Brown said: "It is wrong to say that the continuing presence of UK forces in Iraq will achieve little, or that they are severely restricted in what they can do. Mr Brown told Sir Menzies: "It is wrong to say that the continuing presence of UK forces in Iraq will achieve little, or that they are severely restricted in what they can do.
"UK forces in Basra continue to have the capability to strike against the militias and provide overall security."UK forces in Basra continue to have the capability to strike against the militias and provide overall security.
"They will continue to work with the Iraqi authorities and security forces to get them to the point where they can assume full responsibility for security.""They will continue to work with the Iraqi authorities and security forces to get them to the point where they can assume full responsibility for security."
Mr Brown said he was determined that the UK's approach to Iraq would be based on fulfilling obligations to the Iraqi government, and to the United Nations.Mr Brown said he was determined that the UK's approach to Iraq would be based on fulfilling obligations to the Iraqi government, and to the United Nations.
Decisions on the ground would be made "on the basis of advice from our military and other experts, taking fully into consideration the safety of our armed forces," the prime minister added. The debate on this issue will not go away, particularly as the American presidential elections will put Iraq at the centre of American politics Sir Menzies Campbell class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6966210.stm">'Generation of conflict' ahead class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/4094818.stm">Where are British troops?
"I will do nothing that puts at risk the ability of our armed forces, who have done and are doing a magnificent job, to accomplish their work," he said. He said setting an exit timetable for troops would "undermine" those obligations, "as well as hindering the task of our armed forces and increasing the risks they face".
Decisions on the ground would be made "on the basis of advice from our military and other experts, taking fully into consideration the safety of our armed forces", Mr Brown added.
"I will do nothing that puts at risk the ability of our armed forces, who have done and are doing a magnificent job, to accomplish their work."
'Rehearses line''Rehearses line'
British troop numbers in Iraq are already down to about 5,500 from the 18,000 who took part in the original invasion.British troop numbers in Iraq are already down to about 5,500 from the 18,000 who took part in the original invasion.
American officials have warned that UK troops are too thin on the ground and expressed concern that US forces will have to step into their role if the numbers are reduced further. But American officials have warned that UK troops are too thin on the ground.
Last week senior US military advisor Gen Jack Keane expressed "frustration" that the British were more focused on training Iraqi troops than controlling "deteriorating" security in Basra.
Sir Menzies said Mr Brown's approach to Iraq was no different to that of Tony Blair.Sir Menzies said Mr Brown's approach to Iraq was no different to that of Tony Blair.
"The prime minister's letter simply rehearses the government line and could have been written by his predecessor," Sir Menzies said."The prime minister's letter simply rehearses the government line and could have been written by his predecessor," Sir Menzies said.
"But the reality on the ground and the views of senior military figures undermine Mr Brown's analysis."But the reality on the ground and the views of senior military figures undermine Mr Brown's analysis.
Afghan policy
"The debate on this issue will not go away, particularly as the American presidential elections will put Iraq at the centre of American politics.""The debate on this issue will not go away, particularly as the American presidential elections will put Iraq at the centre of American politics."
Mr Brown also defended policy in southern Afghanistan, where British casualties are the highest in any campaign since World War II.
He admitted operations involved "tough, dangerous and difficult tasks and terrain".
"But as in Iraq I will strongly defend the integrity, bravery and intelligence with which UK commanders and forces are taking forward the strategy they have developed," he said.
"The international community is united in its desire to prevent Afghanistan once again becoming a failed state."