Time for troops to come home

10.56.00pm GMT Wed 24th Jan 2007

Ming Campbell and the Lib Dems have called for British troops to be withdrawn by October

Cardiff South and Penarth Liberal Democrats have welcomed the call from Sir Menzies Campbell to withdraw British troops from Iraq by October.

Sir Menzies made the call during yesterday's commons debate on Iraq in which sadly, the Prime Minister failed to attend.

Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Given the lack of UK influence over coalition strategy, the deepening sectarian conflict, and the increasing antipathy of the Iraqi people to the coalition forces, the time has come for a controlled exit from Iraq.

"It is clear that we have done all we can and that our presence in Iraq is now exacerbating the security situation there.

"The process of withdrawal should begin in May and be completed by the end of October. It is time to go.

Cardiff South and Penarth Campaigner Dominic Hannigan said: "It was incredibly disappointing that Tony Blair failed to turn up for this very important debate. A man who was so quick to rush Britain to war should at the very least attach more importance to discussing the ongoing catastrophe in Iraq.

"Our brave troops have done all they can in Iraq, in a situation that they should never have been put in in the first place. It sadly appears that their presence is now adding to, rather than improving the level of violence.

"If I have learnt one thing from my many friends and family in the military, it is that they deserve to be protected as much as is possible. Their presence in Iraq is not only dangerous to them, it is also becoming increasingly detrimental to the security and progress on the ground, which in turn leads to the deaths of increasing numbers of Iraqi civilians.

"For the sake of the people of Iraq, for British troops and for the urgent need to find a way forward for that country, it is time to think about bringing our troops home.