Out by spring - a timetable emerges for Iraq - Guardian Unlimited

· Beckett says Iraqis will be ready to take over in Basra · Clearest sign of UK pullout by time Blair leaves office Patrick Wintour and Richard Norton-Taylor Thursday November 23, 2006 The Guardian British soldiers patrol a street in the southern city of Basra. Photograph: Essam al-Sudani/AFP/Getty The clearest government timetable yet for Britain's withdrawal from Iraq was set out yesterday when the foreign secretary, Margaret Beckett, said she was confident Britain could hand control ...