Brown calls for more stable politics in Iraq

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has stated the need for a “more stable and confident” political process in Iraq after a meeting with two of the most senior US officials in Iraq.

He spoke after a meeting at 10 Downing Street with General David Petraeus, the general in charge of US military operations in Iraq, and US Ambassador in Baghdad Ryan Crocker.

Mr Brown restated Britain’s commitment to discharge its duties to the Iraqi people, its allies and the international community.

At a press conference in London ahead of his visit to Downing Street, the general endorsed Britain’s gradual withdrawal from Basra, which earlier this month saw troops quit their final base in Iraq’s second city.

The remaining 5,500-strong UK force at Basra Air Station is due to be reduced by a further 500 over the coming weeks, and the Ministry of Defence predicts that security responsibility for Basra province will be handed over to local authorities during the autumn.

Anonymous US sources have widely been quoted as voicing Washington’s displeasure at the pace of the British pull-out.

But Gen Petraeus paid tribute to the “great contribution” made by Britain’s servicemen and women in Iraq, and made clear the gradual withdrawal of troops was taking place according to an agreed plan.

Mr Brown is due to update MPs on the situation in Iraq when Parliament returns next month.

In a statement issued after last night’s talks, Downing Street said: “The PM was pleased to have the opportunity to hear direct from Gen Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker their assessment of the security situation and the progress being made by the Coalition and Iraqi authorities in Iraq.

“He discussed with General Petraeus the security situation in Iraq including in Basra city; which remains stable following the handover of Basra Palace.

“The PM reiterated that like America, Britain will discharge its duties to the Iraqi people, to our allies and to the international community.

“They agreed it was essential for Iraq to achieve a more stable and confident political process. This included: reconciliation with disaffected groups, economic development in Iraq, a more inclusive government, and a genuine attempt to reach consensus on major political issues.

“The PM intends to make a more detailed statement when Parliament returns next month.”

Gen Petraeus’s 90-minute visit to Number 10 follows his high-profile report to Congress last week, in which he said that the “surge” of more than 20,000 additional troops ordered by President George Bush had led to an improvement in the security situation, setting the scene for a scaling-back in the US military presence next year.

Speaking in London yesterday after meeting senior British military commanders, he repeated his upbeat assessment of stability in Iraq in the wake of the “surge” of US forces.

And he reaffirmed plans for Britain to give Iraqi security forces control of Basra province later this year.

Sitting alongside Mr Crocker, the general paid tribute to the “great contribution” Britain’s servicemen and women had made to Iraq.

“They and their families have made significant sacrifices in recent years,” he said.

Ambassador Crocker said there was “new momentum” in Iraq following the surge, which has led to a fall in the number of attacks on civilians in 10 out of 13 provinces.