British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Wednesday that British operations in southern Iraq could be completed "in the next few weeks."

"There has been an operation that the British have been conducting in Basra over the past few months, which will be completed in the next few weeks," Blair said at the House of the Commons during his weekly Question Time.

"That operation ... has been successful up to now," said Blair, adding "that will allow the Iraqis to take over more and more control of their own policing and security in Basra."

"In respect of British policy in Iraq, it remains as we set it out in the weeks leading up to today," said Blair.

"However, once the operation in Basra is properly concluded, it would be appropriate to report to the House," added Blair.

As for the U.S.-UK relations, Blair stressed that the alliance with the United States "is in the British national interest," and "it is an important part of our foreign policy."

"Britain has two great relationships in the world -- one with America and the other with Europe -- and we should maintain both and keep them strong," said Blair.

Currently, Britain has some 7,000 troops in southern Iraq, most in the Basra area and about 800 in Maysan province. Since 2003, there are 127 British soldiers killed in Iraq.

Source: Xinhua