Iraq troop drawdown delayed

Des Browne has told MPs that plans to reduce British troop levels in Iraq have been delayed.

In a Commons statement on the deployment on Tuesday, the defence secretary said that the current strength of UK forces in the country would be held at around 4,000 while difficult security conditions continue.

The government had said last year that it wanted to reduce the number to 2,500 from this spring, with the potential for more reductions to follow.

But recent fighting between militias and Iraqi government troops in and around Basra meant that a strong "overwatch" presence was still required in southern Iraq, Browne said.

"Before the events of the last week, the emerging military advice, based on our assessment of current conditions then, was that further reductions might not be possible at the rate envisaged in the October announcement - although it remains our clear direction of travel and our plan," he said.

"In the light of last week's events, however, it is prudent that we pause any further reductions while the current situation is unfolding.

"It is absolutely right that military commanders review plans when conditions on the ground change.

"So at this stage we intend to keep our forces at their current levels of around 4,000 as we work with our coalition partners and with the Iraqis to assess future requirements.

"I would expect to be able to update the House on force levels later this month."

Earlier Gordon Brown said the UK wanted the Iraqis to take more responsibility and was focusing on training local officers.

"So our whole policy is to make it possible for the Iraqis to take more responsibility through their armed forces and their police," the prime minister said.

He said the "next few months" would see Iraqis taking even more control of their own affairs.

And recent clashes had been down to "criminal elements" in southern Iraq, he added.