LONDON , March 12 , SPA -- British Defense Secretary Des Browne arrivedWednesday in Basra for an unannounced visit to Iraq, AP reported. The Ministry of Defense declined to say how long Brownewould stay in Iraq, on what was described as a generalvisit. Britain has 4,100 troops in southern Iraq, although theyhanded over security duties to Iraqi authorities inDecember. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said numbers would bereduced to 2,500. The ministry on Tuesday said officials hoped to reducetroop numbers «over the coming months,» but gave notimetable and said the numbers would be decided on theadvice of military commanders.--SPA 120954 mar 08GMT www.spa.gov.sa/535748