Britain freezes troop withdrawal in Iraq due to increased fighting

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-25-2008 09:01

Britain says it will put a freeze on troop withdrawals from Iraq because of a sudden increase in fighting with Shiite militias.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband met with  Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President  Jalal Talabani. Miliband expressed Britain's support  for the ongoing crackdown on Iraqi insurgents.(CCTV.com)

During an unannounced visit to Baghdad, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani. Miliband expressed Britain's support for the ongoing crackdown on Iraqi insurgents.

Miliband's visit comes as fresh clashes between militiamen and Iraqi and US forces killed at least 13 people. Fighting in Baghdad broke out last month after Iraqi troops moved to regain control of the southern city of Basra. Around 4,500 British troops are based in Iraq, most of them are near Basra.

Editor:Xiong Qu