Iraqi parliament approves return of some British troops

IRAQ’S parliament yesterday approved the return of a limited number of British troops to Iraq to help protect its southern oil ports.

Politicians approved a security pact with Britain that would return about 100 troops to provide protection to the oil sites and train Iraqi forces. Iraq’s president and two vice presidents must still sign off on the agreement.

British forces ended combat operations in Iraq earlier this year, withdrawing all but 100 to 150 personnel that were training Iraq’s new navy.