UK general: UK troops to stay in Iraq through 200719 Jan 2007 16:35:47 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Kristin Roberts
WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Britain's senior representative in Iraq on Friday
said British forces will remain in Iraq through 2007 and perhaps into 2008 if the
Baghdad government asks for continued help.
"Do I see ourselves being here throughout 2007? Yes," said Army Lt. Gen. Graeme
Lamb, deputy commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq.
-snip-British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Jan. 10 said British operations aimed at preparing
to hand over security in Basra to Iraqi authorities could be completed in the next few
weeks. The Daily Telegraph also has reported that Britain planned to cut troop levels
in Iraq by almost 3,000 by the end of May.
Lamb, however, said Shi'ite militias were "making inroads" in Basra in southern Iraq,
where the bulk of the British force operates.
-snip- Full article:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19293347.htm