British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the British mission in Iraq will end no later than May 31, 2009.

Speaking during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, Brown expressed his country's continuing "commitment" to Iraq.

"I have reiterated in my meetings today the UK's commitment to Iraq, and its people, and its future. I've agreed with Prime Minister Maliki that we will work together towards a framework for the UK's relationship with Iraq in the future. We will take forward a collaborate approach to build skills and capacity for the government of Iraq as a source of crucial revenue - a priority will be developing the expertise of the oil ministry. "

Gordon Brown's announcement follows news that the Iraqi government issued a resolution calling for all non-US troops to withdraw by the end of July.

Britain is the second-largest contributor to the international military coalition in Iraq after the United States. About 4,000 British troops are now in Iraq, mostly in the country's south.