Britain to cut Iraq troops by 2007: Minister

Britain's Defence Minister Des Browne plans to withdraw thousands of its troops from Iraq by the end of 2007.

Britain expects to be able to withdraw "thousands" of its troops from Iraq by the end of 2007, Britain's Defence Minister Des Browne said on Monday.

HT Image

Browne refused to give specific numbers, but said: "By the end of next year I expect numbers for British forces in Iraq to be significantly lower by a matter of thousands."

Britain has around 7,200 troops in southern Iraq, mostly stationed in and around Basra, Iraq's second largest city.