UK troop numbers in Iraq to rise

The defence secretary visited troops in Iraq last week

The number of UK troops in Iraq is to be increased to step up the training of local security forces.

Around 400 more troops are to be deployed, taking the total to 8,500, Defence Secretary John Reid announced.

It will be part of a routine rotation that will see 12 Mechanised Brigade take over from 4 Armoured Brigade as lead British formation in the country.

Mr Reid said increased training of Iraqi forces would help them take "ever greater responsibility" for security.

"The reason for this small increase is in order to allow greater effort to be put into the training, development and mentoring of the Iraqi security forces," Mr Reid said in a Commons written statement.

"This will enable them to take on ever greater responsibility for their own security and so pave the way for UK troops to withdraw."

After the US, the UK has been the second largest contributor of troops to the coalition of more than 30 countries that has taken part in military operations in Iraq.

British troops hold command of Multinational Division South-East, with headquarters in Basra.

Some 87 UK servicemen have been killed during and after the war that began on 20 March 2003.