http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7374-1871741,00.html

From the page: “Britain’s 8,000 troops in Iraq could begin to withdraw next year, John Reid, the Defence Secretary, confirmed today.

Mr Reid was reacting to comments by Jalal Talabani, the President of Iraq, who said at the weekend that Iraqi troops would be able to take over security in southern Iraq, where the British are based, by the end of next year.”