US troops to leave Iraqi cities on time

US combat troops are scheduled to leave Iraq?s towns and cities by June 30 and redeploy to bases outside, according to a security pact that took effect in January. But some US and Iraqi officials had suggested this might have to be delayed for Mosul, which is still plagued by Al-Qaeda and other insurgent groups, who stage frequent attacks. No further details were provided in the US statement. Iraq?s Cabinet has approved a draft law to let some British forces stay on in Iraq for a year longer in training and support missions. Government spokesman Ali Al-Dabbagh says the measure would allow 100 British troops to remain at the southern Umm Qasr port, mainly to train the Iraqi Navy to defend oil platforms in the Gulf. Iraq?s Parliament still needs to approve the draft. British forces have ended combat operation in Iraq and have begun shipping out the 4,000 troops based mainly in the area around the southern city of Basra. British commanders have said they would leave some troops behind. The draft is a step toward formalizing an agreement on this; Kazinform cites Arab News. See www.arabnews.for full version.