In Focus

05 December 2008 04:45 BST

Des Browne in Iraq

The defence secretary Des Browne has made a surprise visit to UK troops in Basra, southern Iraq.

The previously unannounced visit comes ahead of the five-year anniversary of the US-led invasion of March 20th 2003.

But a Ministry of Defence spokeswoman told inthenews.co.uk the timing of the minister's journey was coincidental and was itself a "regular visit to troops".

On Wednesday Mr Browne spoke with Iraq army general Mohan al-Friji, who is responsible for overall security in Basra.

After addressing Iraqi ministers and local media at Basra airport, Mr Browne travelled to Shaibah to see British forces training the Iraqi army, where he watched soldiers from the First Battalion the Scottish Regiment and the Royal Dragoon Guards.



The defence secretary also observed the UK medical group and their blood transfusion equipment in action, which the MoD claims has saved hundreds of lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.



Britain currently has more than 4,100 troops in Basra, deployed at the city's airport, but the Iraqi army has assumed the majority of security responsibilities.

In a visit to Iraq last November, Gordon Brown announced the UK military presence in the country would be reduced to about 2,500 later this year.

Earlier this week, the Commons defence committee warned the cost of the Iraq conflict to UK taxpayers will rise by 72 per cent to £1.648 billion in the coming year.

Since the US-led invasion 175 British servicemen and women have been killed in Iraq, while 212 have been classed as either very seriously or seriously injured.