BAGHDAD, Dec 9 (KUNA) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived in Basra Sunday hours after the Baghdad government said it was ready to take over security responsibilities in the southern Iraqi city, an informed government source said.
The source, speaking to KUNA on condition of anonymity, said Brown arrived in Basra on visit with security-related purpose ahead of handing over security responsibilities to the Iraqi government in the oil-rich city.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s office said the Iraqi government was ready to take over the security file from the British forces who have been taking over security in Basra since the 2003 liberation war against the former Iraqi regime.
Brown’s visit is part of an overall assessment of readiness of the Iraqi forces to take over security responsibilities from Britain, MP Hassan Suneid, member of the defense and security committee at the parliament and is close to Al-Maliki, told KUNA.
Brown will meet President Jalal Talabani, Al-Maliki, defense minister Mohammad Al-Ubaidi and national security advisor Muwaffaq Rubaie, said Suneid.
Brown is carrying a “security message” ahead of the British forces’ withdrawal from Basra, he said.
Suneid said handing over the security responsibilities would take place in mid-December. “The security responsibilities in Basra will be handed over by the British forces in mid-December, and the Iraqi military units in the city are ready to take over fully,” he added.
This is the second visit of Brown to Iraq since assuming his post last June.
Britain has 4,500 forces in Iraq and will be reduced to 2,500 next year.