Britain is urging America to announce a timetable for withdrawing coalition troops from Iraq.

The Telegraph says British officials believe the time is ripe for the coalition to announce an "indicative timetable" for its departure.

"Giving a timetable would be an important political signal that we intend to leave Iraq," a "well-placed" Whitehall source said.

"The main Iraqi parties are already talking about when coalition forces should be drawn down. America knows it will have to deal with the issue soon."