'Home by Christmas' pledge to 1,000 Basra troops

The British military force in Basra is to be cut by 1,000 by Christmas, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today.

Speaking during a visit to Iraq, Mr Brown said he believed that Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control within the next two months.

"What we propose to do over these next few months is to move from a situation where we have a combat role to an overwatch role."

He said that this would involve the present British force of 5,500 being cut to 4,500 - freeing up the troops for other duties.

"Hopefully they will be home by Christmas," Mr Brown told reporters.

Following a one-hour meeting with Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, Mr Brown also announced plans for a new investment agency and development fund for Basra to speed up the process of economic regeneration.

The Prime Minister called for a renewed effort by the Iraqi political parties to achieve political reconciliation.

Mr Brown refused to comment on suggestions that his announcement was intended to pave the way for a general election next month.

"The first thing on my mind today is the security of our armed forces," he said.

He praised what the British troops had achieved in southern Iraq since the invasion in 2003.

"I am very proud of what our armed forces are achieving here. I believe they have acted with great courage, professionalism and bravery."

He added: "We will discharge our obligations to the Iraqi people and to the international community and we will discharge our obligations to our armed forces, who are doing this difficult job."

Mr al-Maliki told reporters after the meeting in Baghdad's high-security Green Zone: "We are prepared to take over security of Basra within two months and we will.

"Basra will be one of the provinces where Iraqi forces will completely take over security."

After seeing Mr al-Maliki, Mr Brown went on to hold further talks with the US commander in Iraq General David Petraeus and Iraqi deputy prime minister Barham Saleh, who is responsible for economic regeneration.

Despite the draw down of British troops, Mr Brown said the UK would continue to maintain the capability to intervene in support of Iraqi security forces if needed.

He said that the Iraqis now had 13,000 troops and 15,000 police in southern Iraq, most of them trained by the British.

Britain currently has 5,500 troops stationed at Basra Airport following their recent pull-out from Basra Palace - their last remaining base in the city itself.

British officials say they have been encouraged that there has been no deterioration of the security situation in the city since the withdrawal from Basra Palace, despite warnings that it could lead to further violence and bloodshed.

Mr Brown's made his announcement during his first visit to Iraq since becoming Prime Minister.

The trip came ahead of his scheduled Commons statement next week on the future of the British mission in Basra.

Tory leader David Cameron welcomed the handover.

"If it is now possible to hand over progressively to the Iraqi army and to bring more of our troops home then he will certainly have my support.

"I have always taken the view that you have to put the national interest first on this issue.

"I have never called for precipitate withdrawals or calling for a timetable - we have to do what is right.

"If the Prime Minister does what is right he will have my support."