The withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq won't be ``sudden,'' Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said, as U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged continuing support to the establishment of democracy and stability in the nation. The Iraqi government has an ``understanding'' with coalition forces, al-Maliki said at a press conference with Blair in Baghdad today. ``When withdrawal happens, it won't be sudden, it won't be a surprise,'' he said. ``It will be part of an agreement between us.'' Blair was in Iraq for the day as part of a tour of Middle East capitals to try to persuade the region's leaders to support peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. He says a settlement there would help bring peace to other countries, including Iraq.
Britain has 7,200 troops in Iraq, the second-largest force after the U.S., stationed in the south of the country around Basra. Ministers have raised the possibility of handing over responsibility for the area by the middle of next year. ``This is something that is happening by agreement with the Iraqi government,'' Blair said. ``As Iraqi forces are capable of taking over in Basra, so our forces stand back.''
Baghdad is the center of a sectarian conflict between Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority and the Sunni Muslim minority. Questioned about continuing violence in Iraq, Blair blamed insurgents who want Iraq's democracy to fail.