US troops to replace British in Iraq

The top US general in Iraq says American troops will move into southern Iraq early next year to replace departing British forces.

The news comes as Iraq’s parliament again rejected a draft law requiring all foreign troops other than Americans to depart before the end of July 2009.

Britain says its 4,000 troops will withdraw from the southern port city Basra by the end of May.

Army General Ray Odierno, the overall commander of US and allied forces in Iraq, said late last night he is considering moving either a brigade or division headquarters – about 100 personnel – as well as an undetermined number of combat troops to Iraq’s second-largest city.