BEIJING, July 11 -- A leaked document says the British and U.S. governments are planning to reduce their troop levels in Iraq by more than half by mid-2006.

    British Defense Ministry has confirmed the authenticity of the document, which is reported to have been written by Defense Minister John Reid.

    London's Mail on Sunday newspaper reported that the memo said Britain would reduce its troop numbers to 3,000 from 8,500 by the middle of next year.

    The British memo said Washington hoped to hand over control of security to Iraqi forces in 14 out of 18 provinces by early next year, allowing it to slash US-led troop levels to 66,000 from 176,000.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)