British troops could still be in Iraq in 2007

BRITISH troops were yesterday warned they could still be in Iraq in the year 2007.

The announcement came as it was revealed two more British soldiers died in Iraq. Major James Stenner and Sergeant Norman Patterson, believed to be from the elite SAS, died in a crash on New Year’s Day. Their vehicle struck a concrete barrier forming part of a security chicane in Baghdad, the British Ministry of Defence said.

The deaths, in the early hours of January 1, bring total British losses to 55 since the conflict began. Maj Stenner, aged 30, of the Welsh Guards, was married and came from Monmouthshire. Sgt Patterson, aged 28, of the Cheshire Regiment, was single and came from Staffordshire.

Neither of their parent regiments are currently on operations in Iraq.

Most British troops are serving in the south of the country around Basra, where Prime Minister Tony Blair staged a surprise visit on Sunday.

News of the deaths, delayed while relatives were informed, came after Foreign Secretary Jack Straw confirmed troops would be on the ground for years.

An appointed Iraqi interim administration should take charge as planned on July 1, said Mr Straw.

However, that would not mean an end to the work of the US-led coalition, he warned.

There was no “exact timescale” for withdrawal but “it is not going to be months”, he told the BBC Radio 4 Today show. “I can’t say whether it is going to be 2006, 2007.”

Former defence minister Doug Henderson, who opposed war, said it confirmed his warnings in the run-up to conflict.