BEIJING, July 18 -- Britain's top diplomat in Iraq has said his country does not have a timetable to pull its troops out of Iraq.

    Al-Arabia Television in United Arab Emirates quoted British Ambassador to Iraq, William Patey, as saying that Britain would make appropriate plans to withdraw its troops from Iraq depending on the security situation and the wishes of the Iraqi government.

    The ambassador's clarification came after British Defence Secretary John Reid hinted on Sunday that the UK would begin a gradual withdrawal of its troops from Iraq within 12 months.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)