Four Royal Air Force Tornado fighters returned to Britain from the Gulf yesterday, marking the start of a drawdown of British forces.
Officials in London announced earlier that Britain would gradually start withdrawing forces, starting with naval ships and aircraft.
"This is by no means the beginning of a full- scale reduction," said Armed Forces Minister Mr Adam Ingram. "Our commitment to Iraq's future is undiminished and we are in the very early stages of beginning to look at the post-conflict phase.
"It would not make sense to keep personnel in the region any longer than is necessary." A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the destroyer Liverpool and frigate Marlborough would proceed to southeast Asia for long-planned exercises, while the aircraft carrier Ark Royal would "soon leave the area".
- (AFP)