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Tony Blair has said that after the handover of power "final political control" of coalition forces will rest with the new Iraqi government.
Mr Blair said this was a result of the transfer of sovereignty on 30 June.
At his monthly news conference he also said UK troops would remain in Iraq "until the job is done".
He said they would stay "as long as it's necessary to provide the help with security the Iraqis need to ensure political transition to democracy."
The numbers of coalition troops will diminish as Iraq's capabilities increase, Mr Blair said, speaking shortly after Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said no decision had yet been taken on sending more British troops.
Mr Blair told reporters in Downing Street the transfer of sovereignty to an Iraqi government had be "real and genuine".
It will be up to the Iraqi government and its people to decide "whether the troops stay or not".
BBC Read More
Mr Blair said this was a result of the transfer of sovereignty on 30 June.
At his monthly news conference he also said UK troops would remain in Iraq "until the job is done".
He said they would stay "as long as it's necessary to provide the help with security the Iraqis need to ensure political transition to democracy."
The numbers of coalition troops will diminish as Iraq's capabilities increase, Mr Blair said, speaking shortly after Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said no decision had yet been taken on sending more British troops.
Mr Blair told reporters in Downing Street the transfer of sovereignty to an Iraqi government had be "real and genuine".
It will be up to the Iraqi government and its people to decide "whether the troops stay or not".
BBC Read More
