"Decisive combat operations in Iraq are now complete, and coalition forces are increasingly focusing upon stabilisation tasks," Hoon said in a written statement to the House of Commons.

"It will therefore be possible to make further force level adjustments over the coming weeks while continuing to meet our responsibilities to the Iraqi people," his statement said.

The helicopter carrier HMS Ocean -- with 26 helicopters on-board -- the destroyer HMS Edinburgh and the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries Fort Austin, Orangeleaf, Sir Bedivere and Sir Percivale are being withdrawn.

"While details continue to be clarified, we envisage that by mid-May 25,000 to 30,000 UK service personnel will remain deployed in the Gulf region, continuing to fulfil our responsibilities towards the Iraqi people," Hoon said.

"The planned replacement of forces is clear evidence of our commitment to them," he said.

Prime Minister Tony Blair ordered 45,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen, 120 tanks, a naval task force led by the Ark Royal, and more than 100 aircraft to the Gulf to join the US-led war in Iraq that began March 20.

The deployment included almost one-quarter of the entire British army, concentrated in the south of Iraq, securing the country's second city of Basra, oil fields and the Gulf port of Umm Qasr.

The flagship aircraft-carrier HMS Ark Royal has already left the region and is due to return to Britain by the middle of next month.

A total of 45 aircraft, including Tornado F3 and GR4, Harrier GR7, Nimrod MR2, VC10 and E3-D planes, Chinook and Sea King helicopters, have already been withdrawn.

Along with announcing the withdrawals, Hoon also issued call-out notices for 1,200 reservists who will be employed with stabilisation duties in Iraq.

SPACE.WIRE