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Brown foresees "fundamental change" in Iraq mission in early 2009

Iran Materials 22 July 2008 17:44 (UTC +04:00)

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tuesday there would be a "further fundamental change of mission" for British troops in Iraq during the first few months of next year, reported dpa.

Brown told parliament in London that British troop levels in Iraq would remain at 4,100 "for the next few months."

However, he expected Iraqi forces to take over control of Basra airport, where British troops are currently based, by the end of this year.

He expected Iraqis to hold local elections in Basra, said Brown. The training of Iraqi troops should be "completed during the first months of next year."

There would then be a "further fundamental change of mission" for British troops in Iraq in the first months of 2009, said Brown, who paid a surprise visit to Iraq at the weekend.

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