British forces will provide security for the Ground Self-Defense Force troops in Samawah, southern Iraq, after the Dutch forces currently protecting them withdraw in March, visiting British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Thursday.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi quoted Straw as saying during their meeting that his country would "provide all-out cooperation to secure the safety of the" Self-Defense Forces.

"I would like to work closely" with Britain, Koizumi said to reporters after the meeting.