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'Time right' for Iraq task change 'Scope' to review UK Iraq troops
(about 2 hours later)
Conditions are right for a fundamental change in the UK mission in Iraq, the outgoing commander of British forces in the country has said. The outgoing commander of British forces in Iraq has indicated that a large withdrawal of UK troops in the country could happen soon.
Maj Gen Barney White-Spunner said Basra security had improved and hinted there could be large reductions in troops. Maj Gen Barney White-Spunner said the Iraqi-led crackdown on Shia militia groups in Basra had improved security and they would not regain control.
He credited the improvement on an Iraqi-led operation earlier this year to chase Shia militia from the city. He said there was obvious "scope" for the government to review troop numbers.
The PM has said the UK's mission will change in 2009, but the MoD says it is too early to be specific on reductions. The PM has said the UK's mission will change in 2009, but the MoD said it was too early to be specific on reductions.
Maj Gen White-Spunner described Basra as a happier and more secure city, with property prices doubling thanks to the interest of foreign investors. Maj Gen White-Spunner has just completed a six-month tour of duty as the British commander in the country.
He said Christians and Sunni Muslims were also returning to the city and that he was confident Shia militias would not regain control. He described Basra as a happier and more secure city, with property prices doubling, thanks to the interest of foreign investors.
"Basrawis realised what a nightmare, literally, that was. They're not going to put themselves back through that period of violent extremism," said Maj Gen White-Spunner. He said Christians and Sunni Muslims were also returning to the city and that he was confident the militias would not regain control.
"They have got better things to do now with their lives and I do not see Basra coming back under militia control. Those days are passed." "Basrawis realised what a nightmare, literally, that was. They're not going to put themselves back through that period of violent extremism," he told the BBC.
He went on to say he believed conditions were right for the fundamental change to the UK mission in Iraq the prime minister outlined in Parliament in July. "They have got better things to do now with their lives and I do not see Basra coming back under militia control. Those days are passed," he added.
'Marked improvement' He went on to say he believed conditions were right for the fundamental change to the UK mission in Iraq, which the prime minister outlined in Parliament in July.
Gordon Brown told MPs before the summer recess the current 4,100 UK troops deployed in Iraq would stay "for the next few months". He said: "The troop numbers will be tailored to what that mission is. A combination of security and investment means Basra has an extremely bright future Maj Gen Barney White-Spunner
"It's not really helpful to speculate at the moment but as security improves and Iraqi forces improve their capabilities, which they are doing daily, then obviously there's scope for numbers to be reviewed."
Maj Gen White-Spunner added there was an "overwhelming feeling of optimism" in Basra.
"The more we start to get foreign investment in there the better, but a combination of security and investment means Basra has an extremely bright future."
Gordon Brown told MPs before the summer recess the 4,100 UK troops currently deployed in Iraq would stay "for the next few months".
He said there had been a "marked improvement" in conditions in Basra and the focus of British armed forces was to complete the task of training and mentoring the 14th Division of the Iraqi Army.He said there had been a "marked improvement" in conditions in Basra and the focus of British armed forces was to complete the task of training and mentoring the 14th Division of the Iraqi Army.
But then in the first few months of 2009 there would be a "fundamental change of mission" to "make the transition to a long-term bilateral relationship with Iraq", he added.But then in the first few months of 2009 there would be a "fundamental change of mission" to "make the transition to a long-term bilateral relationship with Iraq", he added.
The BBC's defence and security correspondent Rob Watson said defence sources were saying the fundamental change, which was still being worked out, could lead to a major reduction in troop levels. US 'supportive'
This could be from the current 4,100 to several hundred by the middle of next year, he added. The BBC's defence and security correspondent Rob Watson said defence sources had said the fundamental change, which was still being worked out, could lead to a major reduction in troop levels.
Forces 'footprint' The numbers could reduce to several hundred by the middle of next year, he added.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said although it was hoped the UK military presence in Iraq would decrease "significantly in the future", it was too early to discuss the "size and shape of a reduced UK forces' footprint".A Ministry of Defence spokesman said although it was hoped the UK military presence in Iraq would decrease "significantly in the future", it was too early to discuss the "size and shape of a reduced UK forces' footprint".
The change of mission would be based on conditions on the ground, the plans of coalition partners and the military contribution requested by the government of Iraq, he said.The change of mission would be based on conditions on the ground, the plans of coalition partners and the military contribution requested by the government of Iraq, he said.
The US was "intimately involved" with the development of future plans and was "fully supportive" of the UK's current position and proposals, he added.The US was "intimately involved" with the development of future plans and was "fully supportive" of the UK's current position and proposals, he added.