LONDON, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Britain's Cabinet has given its unanimous backing to a U.S. request to move British troops in Iraq to more dangerous areas near Baghdad.
While not yet confirmed, reports have said the move would involve about 650 soldiers from the Black Watch regiment now based in southern Iraq, the BBC said Thursday.
The United States made the request, saying it wanted to free up some of its own troops for a mass offensive on the city of Fallujah, which is being held by insurgents.
Prime Minister Tony Blair promised if Black Watch troops are sent north, they will be home by Christmas as planned.
Meanwhile, Britain's senior officer in Iraq, Gen. John McColl, said more British troops could be sent to Iraq as the country's January elections draw nearer.
McColl did not give a figure on the possible deployment, but as many as 1,300 extra troops could be called, bringing the number of British personnel in Iraq to nearly 9,000.
