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US and UK reach agreement on Iraq exit strategy

The US and Britain have privately agreed on an exit strategy from Iraq based on doubling the number of local police trainees and setting up Iraqi units that would act as a halfway house between the police and the army.

The agreement was reached on Monday between US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and his British counterpart Geoff Hoon. It was based on recommendations from retired US general Gary Luck, sent to Iraq by the Pentagon last month to look at the failings of Iraq's security force.

The more aggressive police force is designed gradually to replace the 150,000 coalition troops and will form the centerpiece of plans for Britain and the US to quit Iraq.

Although no deadline has been set for withdrawal -- partly, British sources say, because it may encourage the insurgents -- Britain has made a phased pull-out its top priority.

"Everything the defense secretary is working towards now is an exit strategy, but without a public timetable," said a British military source.

Spanish and Italian forces could be asked to help train the Iraqis, a British defense source said.

Thousands of troops from the multinational force would back up the Iraqi police which, at present, has a reputation for desertion in the face of the insurgency.

Although the US and Britain want to pull out as soon as Iraq is stable, Luck said it could be years before the Iraqi police was ready.

The Pentagon has said it expects to maintain 150,000 troops in Iraq for at least the next two years.

Also see story:
US will leave if Iraqis ask: Bush
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