Britain, Australia and Japan to withdraw troops from southern Iraq

At a defense meeting of the three countries last week in London, British officials told their counterparts that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will announce the transfer of security authority in southern Iraq on Tuesday, Kyodo News agency reported, citing coalition sources, the AP reports.

Photo: Britain, Australia and Japan to withdraw troops from southern Iraq

London will then immediately announce the pullout of its forces from the southern province of al-Muthanna, and Japan and Australia will follow with a similar annoucement on Wednesday, Kyodo said. Japan's pullout could be complete as early as July, according to the report.

Tokyo will also announce plans to expand its Kuwait-based air cargo service to Baghdad and other areas within Iraq, and pledge to assist in Iraq reconstruction through aid, according to Kyodo.