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Troop cut by 2008 end: Blair

Hasan Suroor

Admits situation in Iraq remains grim

LONDON: Prime Minister Tony Blair on Wednesday signalled the start of a process which could see the end of Britain's controversial military involvement in Iraq by the end of 2008, though he admitted that the situation in the war-torn country remained grim, especially in Baghdad.

Announcing a tentative time-table for the troop withdrawal, Mr. Blair told the Commons that in coming months their strength would be reduced from 7,100 to 5,500. And "over time'', there would be further reduction depending on the situation on the ground, he said.

Mr. Blair said it was important to show the Iraqis that Britain and other multinational forces did not want to stay on longer than necessary.

His remark was seen to imply that he expected Britain to pull out completely by the end of 2008. Commentators described the announcement as the start of the "British endgame'' in Iraq.

Media reports quoting Whitehall sources claimed that the first lot of troops were likely to be pulled out as early as April. By Christmas, 3,000 troops could be out of the firing line.

Mr. Blair said Britain was able to plan a phased withdrawal because the situation in the sector it controlled — Basra and surrounding areas — was different from what was happening in Baghdad.

He said though Basra remained a "hazardous'' place with British troops continuing to face attacks from extremist groups, the scale of violence had come down.

Despite the continuing difficulties it was important that the Iraqis began to take control of Basra's security and reconstruction.

"The problems remain formidable," he said adding: "What all of this means is not that Basra is how we want it to be but the next chapter in Basra's history can be written by the Iraqis."

Mr. Blair's announcement was generally welcomed but Opposition MPs said questions remained about British strategy in Iraq with Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell reiterating his demand for a total pull-out by October-end.

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