Quit Iraq by October says Sir Menzies Campbell

2.11.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 24th Jan 2007

British forces should begin a "staged withdrawal" from Iraq in May, with the last forces leaving by the end of October.

Speaking this morning on Radio Four's Today Programme Lib Dem Leader Sir Menzies Campbell said ministers should now spend three months consulting coalition and regional allies over precise details. Sir Menzies said, "Between 1 May and the end of October we should conduct a staged withdrawal of United Kingdom forces."

Continuing he said "In May the three provinces, according to the government, will be handed back to the Iraqis - Basra can be handed back sometime between May and July, we can hand over the transport route between Kuwait and Baghdad which we presently protect for the United States."

"We can withdraw the RAF aircraft that are operating out of Qatar and by October we should be able to bring all of our British forces back.""