THE British military force in Basra is to be cut by 1000 by Christmas, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today.
Speaking during a visit to Iraq, Mr Brown said he believed that Basra province could be handed over to full Iraqi control within the next two months.
"What we propose to do over these next few months is to move from a situation where we have a co
mbat role to an over-watch role," he said.
He said that this would involve the present British force of 5500 being cut to 4500 - freeing up the troops for other duties.
"Hopefully they will be home by Christmas," Mr Brown said.
Following a one-hour meeting with Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, Mr Brown also announced plans for a new investment agency and development fund for Basra to speed up the process of economic regeneration.
The Prime Minister called for a renewed effort by the Iraqi political parties to achieve political reconciliation.
Mr Brown refused to comment on suggestions that his announcement was intended to pave the way for a General Election next month.
"The first thing on my mind today is the security of our armed forces," he said.
He praised what the British troops had achieved in southern Iraq since the invasion in 2003.
"I am very proud of what our armed forces are achieving here.
"I believe they have acted with great courage, professionalism and bravery."
He added: "We will discharge our obligations to the Iraqi people and to the international community and we will discharge our obligations to our armed forces, who are doing this difficult job."
After the meeting in Baghdad's high-security Green Zone, Mr al-Maliki said: "We are prepared to take over security of Basra within two months and we will
"Basra will be one of the provinces where Iraqi forces will completely take over security."
After seeing Mr al-Maliki, Mr Brown went on to hold further talks with the US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and Iraqi deputy prime minister Barham Saleh, who is responsible for economic regeneration in the country.
Despite the reduction in British troop numbers, Mr Brown said the UK would continue to maintain the capability to intervene in support of Iraqi security forces if needed.
He said that the Iraqis now had 13,000 troops and 15,000 police in southern Iraq, most of them trained by the British.
Britain currently has 5500 troops stationed at Basra Airport following their recent pull-out from Basra Palace - their last remaining base in the city itself.
British officials say they have been encouraged that there has been no deterioration of the security situation in the city since the withdrawal from Basra Palace, despite warnings that it could lead to further violence and bloodshed.
Mr Brown made his announcement during his first visit to Iraq since becoming Prime Minister.
The trip came ahead of his scheduled Commons statement next week on the future of the British mission in Basra.
Tory leader David Cameron welcomed the handover.
"I have never called for precipitate withdrawals or calling for a timetable - we have to do what is right," he said.
"If the Prime Minister does what is right, he will have my support."
