London and Washington are discussing a range of eight options for an exit strategy from Iraq as violence in the country continues to escalate, the Guardian newspaper reported on Saturday. The options include a phased withdrawal, the break-up of Iraq into three regions, and "one last push" - a short-term injection of troops to create enough security to build confidence in the Iraqi government, the paper said.
The immediate withdrawal of coalition troops seems unlikely, the Guardian said, quoting an unnamed Foreign Office diplomat saying: "We could pull out now and leave them to their fate but the place would implode." An early exit would also constitute "an unpalatable humiliation" for the Bush administration, the paper added. However, it did suggest that British forces in the area would likely be slashed by half in the middle of next year, followed by further reductions later. A phased withdrawal is "still the likeliest option" but depends on Iraqi security forces becoming properly trained, the paper said. |