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

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.