U.K. defense secretary tours Basra

BASRA, Iraq, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- U.K. Defense Secretary John Hutton toured the southern Iraqi port city of Basra, saying conditions may be appropriate for security transfers there.

Hutton arrived in Baghdad Monday, marking his first visit to Iraq since taking office earlier this month. He met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Defense Minister Gen. Abdul Qadir Obeidi to discuss security developments and the future of British forces in the country.

"It is clear the support of our forces and our role in training the Iraqi army has been critical in achieving these improvements," he said. "Now, we want to focus on training and education to get us closer to our aim of passing full control to the Iraqi authorities."

Following an Iraqi-led spring offensive to drive Shiite militias from the south, Basra has enjoyed a revival in the local economy and increased activities at its economically vital ports.

Hutton, a lawmaker with the Labor Party, toured downtown Basra, visiting markets and the emergence of a new security environment, noting local residents said the recent holy celebrations of Eid and Ramadan were some of the most peaceful in recent memory, the British Ministry of Defense said.

Hutton met also with members of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, who are training and supervising Iraqi security forces.

Hutton Sunday said Baghdad had agreed to enter negotiations with London to bring the number of troops from 4,100 to several hundred by 2009.