British troops in Iraq may be on final leg

LONDON, July 22 (UPI) -- Security conditions in Iraq are such British troops may be ready for a smooth withdrawal from the Mideast country, a military official said.

British Brig. Julian Free, leading the 4th Mechanized Brigade on a homecoming march to Parliament, said security in Iraq had "transformed," The Times of London reported Tuesday. The brigade monitored the handover of Basra's security to Iraqis and helped train the Iraqi army.

"Security there has taken a massive turn for the better," Free said. "The Iraq army have helped us along."

Asked whether a British withdrawal could be in the offing, Free said, "It will be a smooth and steady program. The Iraqis are keen to do more for themselves and I think they will soon be in a position when they can take over."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited British troops in Iraq last weekend, telling them that they were on their last leg of service there but didn't commit to a timetable for withdrawal.

A report by members of a House of Commons Select Committee who recently visited Basra said the southern Iraqi city "has been transformed in the past six months and (Britain) is helping the Iraqi security forces become self-sufficient and effective."