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Brown set for Gen Petraeus talks Brown set for Gen Petraeus talks
(about 4 hours later)
The top US commander in Iraq will meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown for talks later where they are expected to discuss Britain's military commitment.The top US commander in Iraq will meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown for talks later where they are expected to discuss Britain's military commitment.
General David Petraeus and the US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker will meet Mr Brown in Downing Street. Gen David Petraeus and the US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker will meet Mr Brown in Downing Street.
Last week General Petraeus said that the "surge", an extra 30,000 US troops deployed in February, was working. Last week Gen Petraeus said that the "surge", an extra 30,000 US troops deployed in February, was working.
Britain has just withdrawn 500 troops from Basra Palace, to join 5,000 at an airbase outside the city.Britain has just withdrawn 500 troops from Basra Palace, to join 5,000 at an airbase outside the city.
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus said it would be surprising if General Petraeus did not stress the US view of the need for continuing UK troop presence in Iraq. BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus said it would be surprising if Gen Petraeus did not stress the US view of the need for continuing UK troop presence in Iraq.
Troop withdrawalsTroop withdrawals
Responsibility for security in much of Basra Province is progressively being handed over to local Iraqi forces, although British troops will continue to provide back up or an "over-watch" role.Responsibility for security in much of Basra Province is progressively being handed over to local Iraqi forces, although British troops will continue to provide back up or an "over-watch" role.
President Bush has announced that more than 5,000 of the more than 160,000 US troops in Iraq will leave by Christmas - and 30,000 are expected back in the US by summer 2008.President Bush has announced that more than 5,000 of the more than 160,000 US troops in Iraq will leave by Christmas - and 30,000 are expected back in the US by summer 2008.
The prime minister should tell General Petraeus that Britain has fulfilled its moral obligation to Iraq and that our continued presence neither meets military purposed nor political objectives Sir Menzies CampbellLib Dems Analysis: Petraeus briefing The prime minister should tell Gen Petraeus that Britain has fulfilled its moral obligation to Iraq and that our continued presence neither meets military purposed nor political objectives Sir Menzies CampbellLib Dems Analysis: Petraeus briefing
Mr Brown held "cordial and constructive" talks with President Bush on the issue last week by video conference, but has said the UK will make its own decisions about the British military commitment based on "conditions on the ground".Mr Brown held "cordial and constructive" talks with President Bush on the issue last week by video conference, but has said the UK will make its own decisions about the British military commitment based on "conditions on the ground".
He is expected to outline his strategy to MPs when Parliament returns in October.He is expected to outline his strategy to MPs when Parliament returns in October.
But Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell has urged Mr Brown to say UK troops will be pulled out of Iraq entirely.But Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell has urged Mr Brown to say UK troops will be pulled out of Iraq entirely.
"The prime minister should tell General Petraeus that Britain has fulfilled its moral obligation to Iraq and that our continued presence neither meets military purposed nor political objectives," he said. "The prime minister should tell Gen Petraeus that Britain has fulfilled its moral obligation to Iraq and that our continued presence neither meets military purposed nor political objectives," he said.