British Defence Secretary Visits Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said today that talks on the future of British forces in Iraq will start soon after the December 31 expiration of the UN mandate for foreign forces.
Al-Maliki said he'll appoint a team to start discussions with British officials for the future of the 4,100 British troops in southern Iraq.
The prime minister made the announcement in a statement today issued by his office, after meeting with visiting British Defence Secretary John Hutton.
Iraq's government is involved in similar negotiations over a longterm security agreement with the United States.
Last Monday, al-Maliki told London newspaper, The Times, that British forces are no longer necessary to provide security but there may be a need for few of them for training and technical issues.
AP
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