LOC12:18
09:18 GMT
LONDON, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- British forces should begin pulling out of Iraq by
next March, it was revealed here Wednesday.
The UK has been negotiating the legal basis on which its forces can stay
when its UN mandate expires at the end of the year.
It still has 4,100 troops in Basra but defence chiefs plan a withdrawal
over the next year if Iraqi elections in January pass off peacefully, the BBC
and other media outlets reported.
The Times newspaper said that the British forces in Iraq would be reduced
to 400 by next summer.
A withdrawal could allow resources to be diverted to Afghanistan.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has indicated that almost all UK troops
should leave Iraq by the middle of next year, with a few hundred possibly
remaining to train Iraqi security forces.
Previously it had been suggested that troops could start leaving in January.
However, the BBC said the process is likely to begin next March, six years
after the US-led invasion.
A British Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said "Significant progress has
been made in Basra, a city which has now been transformed thanks to Iraqi,
coalition and British efforts."
"As such, we are now expecting to see a fundamental change of mission in
early 2009," she added.
The majority of the British troops are confined to Basra air base.
Commentators said the withdrawal should allow a renewed focus on the
multi-national mission in Afghanistan, which is facing a stalemate.
They added it would free up helicopters, intelligence assets and eventually
troops for the battle against the Taleban.
The US is planning to boost the strength of its force in Afghanistan in the
New Year and is hoping its NATO allies follow suit.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi parliament may have to vote on any deal to allow
British troops to remain in the country beyond the end of the year.
It has recently agreed a similar deal which allows American forces to
remain until 2011. (end)
he.rk
KUNA 101218 Dec 08NNNN