Denmark to move troops to base at Basra airport

COPENHAGEN, Nov 1 (Reuters) Danish troops in southern Iraq will move to a base at Basra airport because Britain wants to close the current one to reduce costs and consolidate forces in one place, the Danish Army said today.

It said about 470 Danish soldiers at Camp Danevang, who are under British command, would move about 15 km to the Contingency Operations Base at the airport about the time of the next troop rotation in February.

''Initially, the move is not expected to result in a reduction in the size of the Danish contingent. But in time it probably means a slightly more unobtrusive role for the Danish forces,'' the army said in a statement.

Denmark's government has said its troops will remain in Iraq for as long as they are needed. However, political support for the force has declined in the past year and Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen may face an uphill struggle to extend it.

Earlier this week, Britain said it was moving most civilian staff from its consulate in Basra to the airport because the threat of mortar and rocket attacks had increased.

Britain has 7,200 troops in southern Iraq, mostly stationed in and around Basra.

REUTERS PDM BST2257