LONDON, Nov 13: Iraqi forces will probably be ready to replace British troops in one year and allow the British to return home, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said in an interview on Sunday.

Mr Talabani’s comments to ITV1 television added to a growing number of statements that British troops and the rest of the US-led multinational force could begin a major pullout soon, despite notes of caution.

“We don’t want British forces forever in Iraq. Within one year — I think at the end of 2006 — Iraqi troops will be ready to replace British forces in the south,” Mr Talabani said, according to excerpts from ITV1 television.

Some 8,000 British troops based in the southern city of Basra have been in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Asked whether he was making a commitment, Talabani replied: “Well, I haven’t been in negotiations, but in my opinion and according to my study of the situation I can say that it is the just estimation of the situation...

“There is not one Iraqi that wants that forever the troops remain in the country,” the ethnic Kurdish president said.—AFP