Brits withdraw from Iraq

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Bush administration's closest ally in Iraq, plans to announce on Wednesday a phased pullout of British troops from that country, he told President Bush Tuesday.

The decision ws described by Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer as a reduction in numbers but not a withdrawl.

The Government has been critical of Labor and Democrat contender Barak Obama for proposing to reduce troop numbers. 

Blair's decision comes as the U.S. force in Iraq is growing by 21,500 troops to try to improve security.

The British leader had said recently that conditions in southern Iraq, where British troops are concentrated, are stable enough to begin withdrawals.

Bush and Blair discussed the move by secure videoconference. The White House called it positive step and said it was not a surprise because the British have been turning over power to Iraqi forces for months. Tuesday, they transferred command of Iraqi forces in Basra to the Iraqi army. Those forces had been training under British leadership.