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Link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6406671.stm
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Most of the UK's remaining troops in Bosnia-Hercegovina are to be withdrawn, defence minister Adam Ingram has said.
More than 600 troops, mostly Welsh Guards, will come home due to the improved security situation, he said.
A small number of staff officers will remain in Sarajevo, and Britain will contribute to the pan-Balkans Operational Reserve Force.
The troop withdrawal is part of a larger reduction of international forces from 6,000 to 2,500 troops.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Ingram admitted there were high levels of small arms and light weapons in the country, but there were international initiatives to reduce these.
'Approaching normality'
He added: "It is clear that the Bosnia-Hercegovina is becoming increasingly safe. In recent years there have been increasing indications of a security situation approaching normality."
But he said military operations had not been without significant loss.
A series of commemorative events are to be held to honour the 55 British personnel who died and the thousands who served there.
If Bosnia are incapable of taking more control of their own affairs at a political level, how confident are you that they can do it on a military level?
Liam Fox
Shadow defence secretary
End of a long road in Bosnia
Although the EU peacekeeping force Eufor is being reduced, the international community overseeing the 1995 Dayton Peace Accord said it was retaining the office of the High Representative until June 2008.
It said the reforms it wanted had not yet been fully implemented.
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said: "If Bosnia are incapable of taking more control of their own affairs at a political level, how confident are you that they can do it on a military level?"
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