http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2007/10/britain_to_cut_iraq_force_to_2.phpBritain to cut Iraq force to 2,500
British Prime Minister Announces Iraq Troops Will Be Cut to 2,500 in 2008
DAVID STRINGER
AP News
Oct 08, 2007 11:29 EDT
Britain will withdraw nearly half the troops now serving in Iraq beginning next spring, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday, leaving a contingent of 2,500 soldiers in the highly unpopular war.
Brown told lawmakers the plan follows discussions with the Iraqi government and progress in Iraq's south.
Britain has around 5,000 troops based mainly at an air base camp on the fringe of the southern city of Basra.
"We plan from next spring, to reduce force numbers in southern Iraq to a figure of 2,500," Brown said in a statement. A decision on further cuts would be made once that reduction is complete, he told lawmakers.
Iraqi forces will take control of security in the southern province of Basra within two months, ending Britain's combat role in the country.
"We plan to move to a second stage of overwatch, where the coalition would maintain a more limited re-intervention capacity and where the main focus will be on training and mentoring," Brown said.
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