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Cable attacks 'disaster' of Iraq Cable attacks 'disaster' of Iraq
(10 minutes later)
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vincent Cable has said the "real disaster" for Prime Minister Gordon Brown is the "continuing tragedy" in Iraq.Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vincent Cable has said the "real disaster" for Prime Minister Gordon Brown is the "continuing tragedy" in Iraq.
Mr Cable told MPs 40 women had been executed for "personal immorality".Mr Cable told MPs 40 women had been executed for "personal immorality".
He asked if 173 UK troops had died to shift power from "the fascist regime of Saddam Hussein to the terror of the fascist militias" on Basra's streets.He asked if 173 UK troops had died to shift power from "the fascist regime of Saddam Hussein to the terror of the fascist militias" on Basra's streets.
Mr Brown hailed progress in Iraq, saying it had democratic government and violence was down 90% in recent months.Mr Brown hailed progress in Iraq, saying it had democratic government and violence was down 90% in recent months.
I would have thought even with the differences over the war he would have welcomed the progress that's being made. Gordon BrownPrime minister PMQ sketch: Cable killer blow
The British military will transfer security control in Basra to Iraqi forces on 16 December, the Iraqi government has said.The British military will transfer security control in Basra to Iraqi forces on 16 December, the Iraqi government has said.
'Training role' 'Democracy'
During the final prime minister's questions before Christmas, Mr Brown said: "Iraq is now a democracy. Millions of people have voted. During the final prime minister's questions before Christmas, Mr Cable asked Mr Brown: "Isn't the real disaster, for which the prime minister has personal responsibility, the continuing tragedy in Iraq?
I would have thought even with the differences over the war he would have welcomed the progress that's being made Gordon BrownPrime minister PMQ sketch: Cable killer blow
"When he was in Basra this week was he told that 40 women, at least, have been executed for personal immorality.
"And is this why 173 British troops have died? Transferring power from the fascist regime of Saddam Hussein to the terror of the fascist militia who run the streets of Basra."
Mr Brown replied: "Iraq is now a democracy. Millions of people have voted.
"We are now able to hand over Basra to provincial Iraqi control. So instead of the British forces having to engage in a combat role, we will be over time engaged in a training role supporting the Iraqi forces."We are now able to hand over Basra to provincial Iraqi control. So instead of the British forces having to engage in a combat role, we will be over time engaged in a training role supporting the Iraqi forces.
"And over these last few months 50,000 people have been trained up as both police and security forces. This is Iraqis taking control of their own security."And over these last few months 50,000 people have been trained up as both police and security forces. This is Iraqis taking control of their own security.
"I would have thought even with the differences over the war he would have welcomed the progress that's being made.""I would have thought even with the differences over the war he would have welcomed the progress that's being made."
The session in the Commons was Mr Cable's last as acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, who opposed the Iraq war in 2003.The session in the Commons was Mr Cable's last as acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, who opposed the Iraq war in 2003.
The exchanges came ahead of a debate in the Commons the Lib Dems have called on the "military covenant".The exchanges came ahead of a debate in the Commons the Lib Dems have called on the "military covenant".
This is the unwritten agreement by which the government agrees to look after its forces and their families in return for them risking their lives for their country.This is the unwritten agreement by which the government agrees to look after its forces and their families in return for them risking their lives for their country.