Britain To Cut Iraq Force To 5,500 In 2007

Tony Blair said that Britain would reduce its troop levels in Iraq by 1,600 over coming months.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Wednesday that Britain would reduce its troop levels in Iraq by 1,600 over coming months, but its soldiers would stay in the country into 2008 as long as they were wanted.

"The actual reduction in forces will be from the present 7,100 -- itself down from over 9,000 two years ago and 40,000 at the time of the conflict -- to roughly 5,500," Blair told parliament. "The UK military presence will continue into 2008, for as long as we are wanted and have a job to do," he said.