Harry to start Iraq training

2007-01-14 08:03

London - Britain's Prince Harry, who is serving in the army, will this week start a course of training for the war in Iraq, the News of the World reported on Sunday.

Although no final decision has been taken on whether Prince Charles's younger son will serve there, the course is only for soldiers who are heading for the war-torn country.

It reportedly includes instruction on Iraqi Arabic, local customs and living conditions.

"If a soldier's in Optag (Operational Training And Advisory Group) training for Iraq, then he's going, simple as that," an unnamed army source told the paper.

Harry is said to be desperate to serve in Iraq. His regiment is reportedly flying out there in April.

Both he and his brother Prince William, who will one day be king, are in the Blues and Royals regiment, prompting widespread speculation about whether they will join Britain's 7 000-strong force in Iraq amid safety fears.

If either does end up there, they would be following the example of their uncle, Queen Elizabeth II's son Prince Andrew, who flew helicopters during the Falklands War in 1982.

- SAPA