The British Navy will return to Iraq to help the country develop an autonomous naval force.

Although Iraq only has a small coastline in the south, maritime security is essential to support growth in oil exports.

Prior to its departure earlier this year, the British Navy had organised training sorties with Iraq's naval force and has been waiting for authorisation to return to the country.

The motion to allow the navy to return was ratified by the Iraqi parliament on October 13th, settling an original accord set down in June.

In a written letter to the UK parliament delivered yesterday (October 22nd), armed forces minister Bill Rammell declared that the navy will be ready to return within "the next few days".

"It is important to resume this activity as soon as possible to ensure that they quickly develop the capacity to protect their own territorial waters," he said, adding that the security of the country's offshore oil platforms are also at stake.

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