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Saturday, June 17, 2006

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BRUSSELS, Belgium -- British officials said Friday there will be no swift repatriation of British troops in Iraq despite the Iraqi government's assertion that its forces could begin taking over southern provinces from coalition forces next month.

Iraqi security forces hope to assume responsibly for Muthana province - where Britain has 150 soldiers - within weeks.

Speaking at the European Union summit in Brussels, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the "situation will arise where we can step down as they (Iraqi forces) step up to the mark."

Britain's defense ministry denied Japanese news reports that coalition troops would withdraw from all four southern provinces within weeks.

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"It's 100 percent inaccurate," said a defense ministry spokeswoman, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with department policy. "We will not be withdrawing from southern Iraq in the coming weeks."

However, Britain's Defense Secretary Des Browne has acknowledged Muthana is likely to be handed over soon, followed by Maysan - where Britain has 1,000 troops. Two other coalition-controlled southern provinces - Basra and Dhiqar - are less likely to see a quick exchange of authority.

Blair's official spokesman, who speaks only on condition of anonymity as he is a nonpolitical civil servant, said the handover of individual provinces is a process that will take weeks.

"When it would start would be a matter for the Iraqi government, first and foremost," he said.

A senior foreign office official said "Basra needs a lot of work" before it can be handed over.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to discuss troop deployment, said proposals for control to return to local police and soldiers had been "very well received" by local politicians in Maysan. But he acknowledged there are coalition concerns over the capability of Iraqi police.

Work is needed to encourage many officers to pledge loyalty to "their police mission" rather than rival militia or their ethnic or tribunal groups, the official said.

© 2006 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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