Iraq asks British troops to pack up

Phoenix News.Net
Monday 13th October, 2008

Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, has told UK officials he would like British combat forces to leave the south of the country.

Mr Maliki told The Times newspaper that while there still might be a need for their expertise in training Iraqi forces, they would no longer be needed to maintain security and control.

He said the page had been turned on British troop requirements, and implied the focus would now be on economic exchange and cooperation in science and education.

British troops have helped train the Iraqi army and navy, while a special forces unit based in Baghdad has been used to strike at militants.

Britain has 4,100 troops in Iraq at present.

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