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Britain to withdraw troops from Iraq

Hasan Suroor

LONDON: Britain is to withdraw 800 troops from Iraq this spring in what is seen as the start of a phased pullout of its 8,000-strong contingent even though the Defence Secretary John Reid emphasised that it was not part of a wider timetable for withdrawal.

Mr. Reid also denied that the move was prompted by growing violence in Iraq or fears of a civil war. He said the soldiers who would be coming home were those who had completed their duties and their withdrawal did not signify handing over territories to Iraqi security forces.

"Let me stress that the reductions I have announced are not part of a handover of security responsibility," said Mr. Reid.

He called it a "significant step'' but made clear that it was "not yet the full handover to the Iraqis.''

The announcement came amid increasing pressure on the Government to announce a time-table for total withdrawal as British casualties crossed the 100-plus mark two weeks ago. Anti-war activists and families of British soldiers, killed in Iraq, have stepped up their campaign for a complete pullout and plan to hold a big rally in London at the weekend.

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