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Quit Iraq by October - Lib Dems Quit Iraq by October - Lib Dems
(about 3 hours later)
British forces should begin a "staged withdrawal" from Iraq in May, with the last forces leaving by the end of October, the Liberal Democrats say.British forces should begin a "staged withdrawal" from Iraq in May, with the last forces leaving by the end of October, the Liberal Democrats say.
Leader Sir Menzies Campbell said ministers should now spend three months consulting coalition and regional allies over precise details.Leader Sir Menzies Campbell said ministers should now spend three months consulting coalition and regional allies over precise details.
He is the first main UK party leader to suggest a definite withdrawal date.He is the first main UK party leader to suggest a definite withdrawal date.
His call came as Tony Blair faced criticism for deciding not to lead a debate on Iraq on Wednesday.His call came as Tony Blair faced criticism for deciding not to lead a debate on Iraq on Wednesday.
Instead Mr Blair will be giving a speech on public services to a meeting of business leaders.Instead Mr Blair will be giving a speech on public services to a meeting of business leaders.
Basra dateBasra date
Sir Menzies, whose party is the third largest in the UK parliament and opposed the war in 2003, said: "I think we should spend the next three months discussing with regional allies and with coalition allies what we propose to do.Sir Menzies, whose party is the third largest in the UK parliament and opposed the war in 2003, said: "I think we should spend the next three months discussing with regional allies and with coalition allies what we propose to do.
"But between 1 May and the end of October we should conduct a staged withdrawal of United Kingdom forces."But between 1 May and the end of October we should conduct a staged withdrawal of United Kingdom forces.
He should now be in the House to reassure Parliament and the country that the government understands the gravity of situation William Hague, ConservativesHe should now be in the House to reassure Parliament and the country that the government understands the gravity of situation William Hague, Conservatives
"In May the three provinces, according to the government, will be handed back to the Iraqis - Basra can be handed back sometime between May and July, we can hand over the transport route between Kuwait and Baghdad which we presently protect for the United States."In May the three provinces, according to the government, will be handed back to the Iraqis - Basra can be handed back sometime between May and July, we can hand over the transport route between Kuwait and Baghdad which we presently protect for the United States.
"We can withdraw the RAF aircraft that are operating out of Qatar and by October we should be able to bring all of our British forces back.""We can withdraw the RAF aircraft that are operating out of Qatar and by October we should be able to bring all of our British forces back."
The prime minister is due to address a CBI conference, but left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell said it was a "shocking negation of his responsibilities" to miss a Commons debate on Iraq.The prime minister is due to address a CBI conference, but left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell said it was a "shocking negation of his responsibilities" to miss a Commons debate on Iraq.
Sir Menzies, has written asking Mr Blair to attend, while the Tories also said he should lead the debate. Sir Menzies has written asking Mr Blair to attend, while the Tories also said he should lead the debate.
Downing Street has said it is not the prime minister's practice to attend such events. But the prime minister's official spokesman said it was "not the practice" for Mr Blair to lead foreign affairs debates.
Sir Menzies said Mr Blair had a "public duty" to lead the debate. Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is expected to do so instead when the debate begins at about 1240 GMT. He added: "He has made a commitment to the Commons to make a statement when Operation Sinbad is finished and assessed. That will be the appropriate point."
The spokesman also said: "Arbitrary timetables would say to those opposed to us 'Here is a target to aim at' with regard to raising their profile."
However, Sir Menzies said Mr Blair had a "public duty" to lead the debate. Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is expected to do so instead when the debate begins at about 1240 GMT.
'Entitled''Entitled'
Sir Menzies said it was nearly four years since Mr Blair had last opened a debate on Iraq, since when 130 British servicemen and women had died and, according to UN estimates, 34,000 Iraqis had been killed in 2006 alone.Sir Menzies said it was nearly four years since Mr Blair had last opened a debate on Iraq, since when 130 British servicemen and women had died and, according to UN estimates, 34,000 Iraqis had been killed in 2006 alone.
"In these circumstances the British people are entitled to hear your analysis and strategy for withdrawal," he wrote."In these circumstances the British people are entitled to hear your analysis and strategy for withdrawal," he wrote.
"I consider that on an issue of such gravity the public are entitled to hear the party leaders.""I consider that on an issue of such gravity the public are entitled to hear the party leaders."
Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "He [Mr Blair] was in the House to lead us to war.Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "He [Mr Blair] was in the House to lead us to war.
"He should now be in the House to reassure Parliament and the country that the government understands the gravity of situation in Iraq and has a clear strategy for making Iraq safe and stable.""He should now be in the House to reassure Parliament and the country that the government understands the gravity of situation in Iraq and has a clear strategy for making Iraq safe and stable."
The government agreed to allow the debate on Iraq and the wider Middle East under a technical procedure known as an adjournment debate.The government agreed to allow the debate on Iraq and the wider Middle East under a technical procedure known as an adjournment debate.
As no substantive motion will be put, MPs will not have a chance to vote for a change in policy.As no substantive motion will be put, MPs will not have a chance to vote for a change in policy.
ProtestProtest
However, opponents of the war may choose to make a symbolic protest at the end of the debate by voting against the Commons adjourning for the evening.However, opponents of the war may choose to make a symbolic protest at the end of the debate by voting against the Commons adjourning for the evening.
The Stop The War Coalition will stage a protest outside the Commons.The Stop The War Coalition will stage a protest outside the Commons.
In October, the government saw off a cross-party bid by MPs to force an immediate inquiry to be held into the Iraq war.In October, the government saw off a cross-party bid by MPs to force an immediate inquiry to be held into the Iraq war.
But Mr Blair has said he has not ruled out holding one in the future.But Mr Blair has said he has not ruled out holding one in the future.
He has sidestepped growing calls for a full Commons debate on Iraq, saying he is happy to talk about it "at any time".He has sidestepped growing calls for a full Commons debate on Iraq, saying he is happy to talk about it "at any time".