Dundee Liberal Democrats back Sir Menzies Campbell on Iraq troops call (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee Liberal Democrats back Sir Menzies Campbell on Iraq troops call

January 24, 2007 4:04 PM

Sir Menzies Campbell, Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Dundee Liberal Democrats back Sir Menzies Campbell on Iraq troops call

Calls today (Wednesday 24th January) by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell MP for British forces to begin a "staged withdrawal" from Iraq in May, with the last forces leaving by the end of October, have been backed by Dundee Liberal Democrats.

Sir Menzies said Ministers should now spend three months consulting coalition and regional allies over precise details. His call came as Tony Blair faced criticism for deciding not to attend today's debate on Iraq.

Sir Menzies 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."

Locally, Liberal Democrat Dundee Party Secretary Michael Charlton said, "The Labour Government's handling of the Iraq issue has been disastrous. We owe it to our troops to start the "staged withdrawal" from Iraq by May with the last forces leaving by October."