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LONDON - The British government says it could hand back Basra province to Iraqi control early next year.
The announcement puts a date on a major step towards reducing Britain's presence in Iraq for the first time.
"The progress of our current operation in Basra gives us confidence
that we may be able to achieve transition in that province ... at some point next spring," Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told parliament.
Britain, Washington's biggest ally in the Iraq war, has previously refused to set timetables for withdrawal. But a US defence official said last month Britain hoped to withdraw troops within 12 months to focus on the war in Afghanistan.
With troops in both countries, Britain's forces are stretched, particularly as soldiers in southern Afghanistan are embroiled in a fierce struggle against a revitalised Taleban -- which says it is planning a fresh offensive when winter ends.
Beckett's announcement comes amid growing opposition to the war in Britain and as US President George W. Bush rethinks strategy in Iraq after a crushing mid-term election defeat.
Britain has 7,200 troops in southern Iraq, mostly stationed in and around Basra. The city, Iraq's second biggest, remains dangerous with Shi'ite factions battling each other for control and British troops sometimes targeted.
Britain has handed over authority to Iraqi forces for two of the four southern provinces -- Muthanna and Dhi Qar -- it was given responsibility for after the US-led invasion in 2003. Maysan province is due to be ready for handover in January.
Asked if this meant British troops could be out of Iraq in a year, a government source said: "This is a process not an event. Responsibility for different areas is gradually handed over until the point comes when the whole province is handed over."
"After that multinational forces will continue to be available to support the Iraqi authorities if needed."
Britain's Defence Ministry is prepared to hand over control of Basra as soon as possible but any such move would depend on conditions on the ground, a ministry source said.
In Basra, British military spokesman Captain Tane Dunlop said the handover would depend largely on the success of Operation Sinbad, due to end in January or February, which aims to retrain Basra police and improve basic services.
- REUTERS