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Gen Petraeus hails British troops Gen Petraeus hails British troops
(9 minutes later)
The US commander in Iraq has praised "the great contribution" made by British troops, ahead of talks in London with PM Gordon Brown.The US commander in Iraq has praised "the great contribution" made by British troops, ahead of talks in London with PM Gordon Brown.
Gen David Petraeus said the British military had "done magnificent work" in the face of "tough enemies" and countless other challenges.Gen David Petraeus said the British military had "done magnificent work" in the face of "tough enemies" and countless other challenges.
But he warned there were "no easy answers or policy solutions" to helping the Iraqis build up their own security.But he warned there were "no easy answers or policy solutions" to helping the Iraqis build up their own security.
US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker will also join the talks in Downing Street.US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker will also join the talks in Downing Street.
Last week Gen 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Britain has just withdrawn 500 troops from Basra Palace, to join 5,000 at an airbase outside the city. At the same time as that surge has taken place, in the south of Iraq Britain has just withdrawn 500 troops from Basra Palace, to join 5,000 at an airbase outside the city.
Troop withdrawalsTroop withdrawals
And 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.And 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.
Gen Petraeus told journalists at the Royal United Services Institute that "various" military and political issues had to be sorted out before the full handover of Basra province, which he said he hoped would happen later this autumn or this winter.Gen Petraeus told journalists at the Royal United Services Institute that "various" military and political issues had to be sorted out before the full handover of Basra province, which he said he hoped would happen later this autumn or this winter.
He also warned that a premature drawdown of forces from Iraq would have "devastating consequences".He also warned that a premature drawdown of forces from Iraq would have "devastating consequences".
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 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 briefingThe 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 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."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.