Iraq to take over security in Basra in Sept
Afp, Baghdad
Iraqi forces will be ready take charge of security in the southern city of Basra from the British military in September, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told British lawmakers on Tuesday. Maliki made the promise during a meeting with visiting members of the defence committee of the British House of Commons in Baghdad, according to a statement released by his office. More than 14,000 British troops took part in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and 5,500 are still based in the southern port of Basra, where they are battling to quell fighting between rival tribal and political militias. London has said it hopes to reduce this number still further by the end of August, as local Iraqi army and police units take more responsibility.
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