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| PM rules out Iraq exit timetable | PM rules out Iraq exit timetable |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown has ruled out setting a timetable for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, saying they still have "an important job to do". | Gordon Brown has ruled out setting a timetable for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, saying they still have "an important job to do". |
| The prime minister said in a letter to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell the military still had "clear obligations to discharge". | The prime minister said in a letter to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell the military still had "clear obligations to discharge". |
| He insisted setting a timetable would undermine those efforts. | He insisted setting a timetable 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 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 'Generation of conflict' ahead Where are British troops? | 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 'Generation of conflict' ahead Where are British troops? |
| "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." |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that UK troops had "very clear objectives, that Iraq should be run by the Iraqis". | Foreign Secretary David Miliband told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that UK troops had "very clear objectives, that Iraq should be run by the Iraqis". |
| "Secondly, we have very clear criteria for moving towards that sort of Iraqi control, and that is on the basis of their own security forces having the ability to run their own affairs," Mr Miliband said. | "Secondly, we have very clear criteria for moving towards that sort of Iraqi control, and that is on the basis of their own security forces having the ability to run their own affairs," Mr Miliband said. |
| 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. |
| 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". | 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". |
| "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," 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," Mr Brown added. |
| '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. |
| But American officials have warned that UK troops are too thin on the ground. | But American officials have warned that UK troops are too thin on the ground. |
| The international community is united in its desire to prevent Afghanistan once again becoming a failed state Prime Minister Gordon Brown href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6966491.stm">In full: PM's letter class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6958395.stm">US 'frustrated' with UK forces | |
| 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. | 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. |
| But Mr Miliband insisted that decisions about operations in Basra would not be influenced by US opinion. | But Mr Miliband insisted that decisions about operations in Basra would not be influenced by US opinion. |
| 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 | 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 the "integrity, bravery and intelligence" of military policy in Afghanistan, where 73 British soldiers have died since the start of operations in 2001. | Mr Brown also defended the "integrity, bravery and intelligence" of military policy in Afghanistan, where 73 British soldiers have died since the start of operations in 2001. |
| He admitted operations involved "tough, dangerous and difficult tasks and terrain", but said: "The international community is united in its desire to prevent Afghanistan once again becoming a failed state." | He admitted operations involved "tough, dangerous and difficult tasks and terrain", but said: "The international community is united in its desire to prevent Afghanistan once again becoming a failed state." |