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UK troops in Basra cut by 1,000 UK troops in Basra cut by 1,000
(20 minutes later)
The British military force in Basra is to be cut by 1,000 by the end of the year, Gordon Brown has said on a visit to Baghdad. UK troops in Basra are to be cut by 1,000 by the end of the year, Gordon Brown has said on a visit to Baghdad for talks with senior politicians.
Mr Brown also said he believed Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control in the next two months. Mr Brown also confirmed Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control in the next two months.
Britain currently has 5,000 troops stationed at Basra Airport. Britain currently has about 5,500 troops stationed at Basra Airport.
Mr Brown is on his first visit to the country as UK prime minister for talks with senior politicians including Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. Mr Brown, on his first visit to Iraq as UK prime minister, praised the troops for their "great courage, professionalism and bravery".
He is also due to meet the US commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus. He said: "What we propose to do over these next few months is to move from a situation where we have a combat role to an overwatch role."
This would involve the present British force of 5,500 being cut to 4,500 - freeing up the troops for other duties, he said.
"Hopefully they will be home by Christmas," Mr Brown told reporters.
Commons statementCommons statement
Mr Brown was taken by helicopter to the fortified Green Zone after arriving at Baghdad International Airport. Mr Brown landed at Baghdad International Airport under heavy guard before being taken by helicopter to the fortified Green Zone.
BBC political correspondent James Hardy says that according to officials, the purpose of the trip is to gauge the readiness of the Iraqi forces to take more control of their own security. Mr Brown met key figures including Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. He was also due to meet the US commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus.
If it is now possible to hand over progressively to the Iraqi army and to bring more of our troops back home, then he will certainly have my support David Cameron, Conservative leaderIf it is now possible to hand over progressively to the Iraqi army and to bring more of our troops back home, then he will certainly have my support David Cameron, Conservative leader
Mr Brown's visit comes ahead of his Commons statement next week on the future of the British mission in Basra. BBC political correspondent James Hardy said he went straight into meetings before making a surprise announcement that 1,000 troops would be home by Christmas.
But Mr Brown has been advised that once the focus of troops is largely on training and mentoring Iraqi forces, numbers could drop. Mr Brown will tell the Commons next week that more still needs to be done in Iraq including political reconciliation and economic regeneration.
But army figures are warning that a significant force will have to stay indefinitely.
'Radical options''Radical options'
It is thought British forces are likely to stay in Basra for up to two more years on "overwatch", which involves mentoring and training the Iraqis rather than patrolling.It is thought British forces are likely to stay in Basra for up to two more years on "overwatch", which involves mentoring and training the Iraqis rather than patrolling.
Conservative leader David Cameron has said he would support a withdrawal of some British troops from Iraq if local forces were ready to take over.Conservative leader David Cameron has said he would support a withdrawal of some British troops from Iraq if local forces were ready to take over.
"If it is now possible to hand over progressively to the Iraqi army and to bring more of our troops back home, then he will certainly have my support, " he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."If it is now possible to hand over progressively to the Iraqi army and to bring more of our troops back home, then he will certainly have my support, " he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Meanwhile, Britain's consul general in Basra, Richard Jones, has told the BBC that local people fear all-out war could break out between rival militias once Britain has handed over security to local forces.Meanwhile, Britain's consul general in Basra, Richard Jones, has told the BBC that local people fear all-out war could break out between rival militias once Britain has handed over security to local forces.
Mr Brown has prepared for many weeks to announce that British troops will finally be able to hand over the last of four provinces to Iraqi forces to control.Mr Brown has prepared for many weeks to announce that British troops will finally be able to hand over the last of four provinces to Iraqi forces to control.
The Ministry of Defence has already said the handover of Basra province is due this autumn.The Ministry of Defence has already said the handover of Basra province is due this autumn.
Earlier, BBC political editor Nick Robinson said he understood that ministers had discussed a number of other radical options in recent weeks.Earlier, BBC political editor Nick Robinson said he understood that ministers had discussed a number of other radical options in recent weeks.
HAVE YOUR SAY I can't see how 3,000 troops bunkered down in Basra airport could possibly make a difference Mike, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I can't see how 3,000 troops bunkered down in Basra airport could possibly make a difference Mike, London Send us your comments
One was to withdraw British forces from Basra altogether and move them to the relative safety of a US and an Australian base elsewhere.One was to withdraw British forces from Basra altogether and move them to the relative safety of a US and an Australian base elsewhere.
Another was to withdraw troops to a base inside Kuwait.Another was to withdraw troops to a base inside Kuwait.
Both would have allowed significant troop reductions and, politically, would have signalled a significant break in UK policy, our correspondent added.Both would have allowed significant troop reductions and, politically, would have signalled a significant break in UK policy, our correspondent added.
But both options were rejected.But both options were rejected.