Britain announces Iraq withdrawal

(London-AP) February 21, 2007 - Britain is pulling some of its troops out of Iraq.

Wednesday's announcement by Prime Minister Tony Blair calls for about 1,600 of Britain's 7,000 troops in Iraq to be withdrawn in the "coming months."

Britain has been America's chief ally in the coalition since the 2003 invasion. Its forces have responsibility primarily for southern Iraq, which has not had nearly the turmoil other parts of the country have, most notably Baghdad and western Iraq's Anbar province. American troops there have had a particularly rough time of it.

The British drawdown is already getting a positive spin in Washington.

The White House says President Bush views it as "a sign of success." Still, the British scale-back is coming at a time when the US is boosting its troop commitment in Iraq by more than 21,000.