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UK to reduce forces in Iraq

The British government announced Monday that it will be reducing the number of British troops in Iraq by 10 percent. British forces have already begun transferring certain duties to Iraqi security forces in the face of a potential civil war in Iraq.

"This is a significant reduction which is based largely on the ability of the Iraqis themselves to participate and defend themselves against terrorism," Defense Secretary John Reid said in a speech at the House of Commons. "But there is a long, long way to go."

Reid says he is pulling at least 800 soldiers out of Iraq because Iraqi security forces have become more capable of handling security issues, particularly in the Basra region. Reid also said that the rash of violence that continues to plague Iraq has no impact on the decision to pull troops from the war-torn country.