MNF Rejects Report of Imminent Brit Pullout (from Basra)

[Barrett808]

Source: VOI

Basra, Aug 25, (VOI) – The Multi-National Force (MNF) spokesman denied on Saturday a decision that British forces in Basra would be withdrawn soon, adding British forces would soon hand over the base in the former presidential palaces and joint coordination center to the Iraqi police.

"There is no decision or program to pull British forces out of Basra at present," Maj. Matthew Bird told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

He pointed out that withdrawal of "500 British troops in Basra will take place by the end of this year," adding "the cut in the number of British soldiers in Basra has nothing to do with any emergency circumstances or changes in the British policy in Iraq. It was a plan approved during the time of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in February 2007."

British newspaper The Guardian had quoted military sources on Friday as having said that British soldiers would withdraw from the Iraqi city of Basra in two weeks' time.

"Handing over those two camps should not be viewed as withdrawal of British forces from Basra. Rather, it should be considered a significant step to help Iraqi forces take over security responsibilities," said Bird.

Read more: http://www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/4078

[Greeby]

1. "Never believe anything until it is officially denied" nt