'Proud' PM in Iraq troops cut

Meeting commanders and soldiers at the British Divisional Headquarters at Basra Airbase, Mr Brown said they were helping to build a sustainable democracy in the country.

"I want to say to you how proud I am, how proud I believe all the British people are for what you have managed to do and what you are achieving," he told them. "You are brave, you are courageous and I am incredibly proud of you."

Earlier, following talks in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, Mr Brown announced that the overall UK force in Basra would be cut by 1,000 troops by the end of the year.

He said that it would follow the expected handover of Basra province to full Iraqi security control within the next two months.

"What we propose to do over these next few months is to move from a situation where we have a combat role to one where we have an over-watch role, where the Iraqis increasingly take over responsibility for their own security," he said.

Officials later confirmed that the overall reduction of 1,000 troops included 500 already announced as a result of the decision over the summer to pull out of Basra Palace - the UK forces' last remaining base in the city itself.

Mr Brown added: "Hopefully they (the returning troops) will be home by Christmas."

The Prime Minister, who is due to make a Commons statement next week on the British mission in Iraq. refused to be drawn on media reports that a further 1,000 troops could be brought back by next spring.

He also refused to comment on suggestions that his announcement was intended to clear the way for a snap general election after MPs return to Westminster next week.