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UK and US on 'same path' in Iraq | UK and US on 'same path' in Iraq |
(30 minutes later) | |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has rejected claims that there is a split between UK and US policy on Iraq, saying both are on the "same path". | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has rejected claims that there is a split between UK and US policy on Iraq, saying both are on the "same path". |
On Monday 550 UK soldiers completed a withdrawal from central Basra to join 5,000 troops at an airbase outside the city, taking up an "overwatch" role. | On Monday 550 UK soldiers completed a withdrawal from central Basra to join 5,000 troops at an airbase outside the city, taking up an "overwatch" role. |
Mr Brown said the move was pre-planned and did not mean defeat. | |
Iraqi foreign minister Hoysher Zebari said a complete UK withdrawal would lead to "catastrophic consequences". | |
The pull-out by British troops to the outskirts of Basra dominated Mr Brown's second prime ministerial news briefing. | |
'Long term plan' | |
Asked if he and President Bush still shared the same vision for the future of Iraq, Mr Brown replied: "We are on exactly the same path ... | |
"Just as the American government wish to discharge its obligations to the Iraqi people, we will continue to discharge our obligations. | |
"Both of us wish to see a situation where the security of the different provinces of Iraq is taken over by the Iraqis themselves. We always recognised that this would happen at different stages." | |
We are not getting any signals that there is any plan to pull this force out of Basra, because that would really lead to catastrophic consequences Hoysher ZebariIraqi foreign minister | |
Mr Brown added: "Our policy is exactly the same: to make it possible for the Iraqi people to be responsible for their own security." | |
Mr Zebari told BBC's World At One programme that the withdrawal of British troops to a base outside Basra had been "in the planning for some time" between the Iraqi government and the multi-national forces. | |
"This is a partial withdrawal; the British commitment is still strong and is still there to maintain stability and security in that vital part of Iraq," he said. | |
"We expect more constructive, positive engagement from the British forces. I mean definitely, I don't see them sitting there doing nothing. | |
"We are not getting any signals that there is any plan to pull this force out of Basra, because that would really lead to catastrophic consequences." |
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