Al-Maliki: British troops not necessary

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iraq's prime minister is telling a London newspaper that the 4,100 British troops in southern Iraq are no longer necessary to provide security. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has told the Times of London that there may be a need for a few British troops to remain for training and technical issues. But as a fighting force, al-Maliki said the British were no longer needed. Al-Maliki also expresses disappointment with the British performance during last spring's fighting in the southern city of Basra, saying the British stayed away from confrontation and gave militias the chance to take control of the city.