Bush announces Iraq troop cuts

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Mr Bush said the more successful US troops are in Iraq, the more could return home.

The president's prime-time televised address to the American people came after General David Petraeus, the US commander in Iraq, completed two days of testimony to Congress earlier this week.

"The principle guiding my decisions on troop levels in Iraq is 'return on success'," Mr Bush said.

"The more successful we are, the more American troops can return home. And in all we do, I will ensure that our commanders on the ground have the troops and flexibility they need to defeat the enemy."

Mr Bush said the US would follow Gen Petraeus's advice and more than 5,000 troops will be withdrawn by Christmas. About 30,000 of the 168,000 US troops in Iraq are expected to return to the US by next summer.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown responded to President Bush's plans by insisting the UK would make its own decisions.

He stressed announcements on the future size and strength of British forces, with 5,000 now based at Basra Air Station, would depend on "conditions on the ground".

Mr Brown, who will meet Gen Petraeus in London next week, said in a statement released at Westminster: "Like America, Britain will discharge our duties to the Iraqi people, to our allies and to the international community."

He added: "I intend to make a more detailed statement when parliament returns next month."