LONDON, May 8 (UPI) -- British Defense Secretary Des Browne Monday denied that the weekend's riots in Basra, southern Iraq, were evidence of an uprising against U.K. troops.
In a statement to Parliament, Browne said the disturbances -- which followed the crash of a British military helicopter in the city Saturday -- had involved just 200 to 300 people, and must be kept in context.
Five British personnel died in the crash; Basra police said five Iraqis, including two children, had been shot dead in the ensuing unrest.
A British team is investigating the cause of the crash, following reports that it was hit by a rocket. Troops who moved in to secure the area came under a hail of stones, while several armoured vehicles were set alight by petrol bombs. Exchanges of gunfire took place, though it is not yet clear where from. British army commanders have denied firing live rounds into the crowd, insisting that any shots were directed at threatening targets.
But Browne rejected suggestions of an uprising against British troops that necessitated their withdrawal. Britain was still committed to staying in Iraq "until the job is done," he said.
"That job is to assist the Iraqi government and its security forces to build their capabilities -- military and civilian -- so that they can take on full responsibiliity for the security of their own country.
"Achieving this objective is the exit strategy - nothing more, nothing less."
Earlier Prime Minister Tony Blair hinted at a forthcoming announcement of a security handover.
Asked at a Downing Street press conference about the process of drawing down British troops, he replied: "I think you will find in the next few weeks we will have some things to say about that, that may give people some more certainty for the future."
