Brown's Basra announcement changes little
British military control in Iraq will end within two weeks, with local forces taking over in Basra province, Gordon Brown told troops at the UK's sole remaining base in the country. The move to an oversight role means the UK is on course to halve troop numbers by spring. The first phase of oversight will focus on training Iraqi forces, serving supply routes, policing the borders with Iran and remaining ready for re-intervention if necessary. The second, from spring, will involve a 'more limited' re-intervention capacity and will emphasise training and monitoring.
11 Dec 2007