British troops may leave Iraq by April -- Sky News.

Byline: SH (S)/SR

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: British troops will leave Iraq next April after improvements in the security situation in Basra, Sky News reported.

"Final negotiations are under way with the Iraqi government, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to make an announcement by Christmas," Sky News said.

"Iraq is pressing for the withdrawal of all foreign troops and is in talks with the Americans about their role once the United Nations mandate expires at the end of this year," it added.

British forces have been based in the south of the country since the invasion in 2003.

Sky News has learned all troops will have left …