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Troops: Blair shifts stand

Patrick Wintour

London: Tony Blair has shifted ground on the continuing presence of British troops in Iraq by saying it was U.K. Government policy to leave the country within 10 to 16 months — so long as the security situation allowed.

The Prime Minister also agreed with the chief of the U.K. general staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, that the presence of British forces could become a provocation, but disagreed with Gen. Dannatt by insisting it was still the Government's aim to secure a liberal democracy in Iraq.

Mr. Blair's comments at Prime Minister's questions in the House of Commons in London appear to be an attempt to pacify the restive mood of the British army, as well as to reflect the developing view in Washington that some radical policy change is imminent after the U.S. mid- term elections.

In a change of tone, Mr. Blair told MPs the aim was to leave the Iraqi forces to organise security. —

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

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