22/11/2006
Spring transfer possible for Basra, says Beckett
British forces may be able to transfer control of Basra to Iraqi forces in Spring 2007, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has announced.
Speaking in the Commons, Mrs Beckett said: The progress of the operation in Basra gives us confidence that we may be able to achieve transition in that province at some point next spring."
The Foreign Secretary said that the process of transferring security to Iraqi forces was "well under way". She said that she expected Najaf to be the next province to be transferred to be transferred to Iraqi control in December.
However, Mrs Beckett said that the handover of Basra was not definite and said that troops would not leave too early, because this would make the bloodshed "even worse".
However, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Mrs Beckett's comments are notable as much for what she doesn't say as for what she does. There is no indication that if control of Basra were to be handed over next spring, the deployment of British troops would be reduced.
"The government's position remains of having neither a strategy for staying or for going. We are still unduly subject to American influence."
(KMcA)
Speaking in the Commons, Mrs Beckett said: The progress of the operation in Basra gives us confidence that we may be able to achieve transition in that province at some point next spring."
The Foreign Secretary said that the process of transferring security to Iraqi forces was "well under way". She said that she expected Najaf to be the next province to be transferred to be transferred to Iraqi control in December.
However, Mrs Beckett said that the handover of Basra was not definite and said that troops would not leave too early, because this would make the bloodshed "even worse".
However, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Mrs Beckett's comments are notable as much for what she doesn't say as for what she does. There is no indication that if control of Basra were to be handed over next spring, the deployment of British troops would be reduced.
"The government's position remains of having neither a strategy for staying or for going. We are still unduly subject to American influence."
(KMcA)
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01 April 2008
British Troop Withdrawal From Iraq 'Unlikely'
The Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to tell the Commons that there are currently no plans to reduce the number of British troops in Iraq. Ambitious plans to decrease the number of soldiers from 4,100 may have been withdrawn, sparked by recent fighting in Basra, the BBC has reported.
British Troop Withdrawal From Iraq 'Unlikely'
The Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to tell the Commons that there are currently no plans to reduce the number of British troops in Iraq. Ambitious plans to decrease the number of soldiers from 4,100 may have been withdrawn, sparked by recent fighting in Basra, the BBC has reported.
13 March 2007
Britons kidnapped in Ethiopia freed
A group of British embassy workers kidnapped in Ethiopia earlier this month have been released in neighbouring country Eritrea, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has announced.
Britons kidnapped in Ethiopia freed
A group of British embassy workers kidnapped in Ethiopia earlier this month have been released in neighbouring country Eritrea, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has announced.
28 October 2003
Tackling global inequality between 'rich' and 'poor' is key
Tackling global inequalities that split the world into "rich" and "poor" segments is essential to long-term peace and security, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said today.
Tackling global inequality between 'rich' and 'poor' is key
Tackling global inequalities that split the world into "rich" and "poor" segments is essential to long-term peace and security, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said today.
07 April 2003
Three soldiers killed during fighting in Basra
Three British soldiers have been reported killed in Iraq following two days of sustained fighting to secure Basra. With resistance described as "sporadic" within the city, the soldiers, two from the Irish Guards and one Royal Fusilier, were killed as UK forces sought to consolidate their hold over the southern Iraqi city.
Three soldiers killed during fighting in Basra
Three British soldiers have been reported killed in Iraq following two days of sustained fighting to secure Basra. With resistance described as "sporadic" within the city, the soldiers, two from the Irish Guards and one Royal Fusilier, were killed as UK forces sought to consolidate their hold over the southern Iraqi city.
24 November 2006
British soldier killed in Basra
A British soldier has been killed during a search and detention operation in Basra, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The soldier, a member of the Parachute Regiment, was shot during the operation in the southern Iraq city and was evacuated to a nearby military hospital, but later died from his injuries.
British soldier killed in Basra
A British soldier has been killed during a search and detention operation in Basra, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The soldier, a member of the Parachute Regiment, was shot during the operation in the southern Iraq city and was evacuated to a nearby military hospital, but later died from his injuries.
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