The British defence ministry denied there was any rift with the United States over the two countries' plans for troop levels in Iraq following comments made by the US ambassador to the war-torn country.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the American envoy to Baghdad, had earlier told the BBC that the United States "would like the British to co-ordinate and for us to have a joint plan."

Though the United States is planning a "surge" of about 21,500 troops in Iraq, Britain has said it wants to withdraw "thousands" of its soldiers from the country this year.

"There is no tension between US and UK objectives and activities in Iraq," a spokeswoman for the defence ministry said.

"We are a major member of the Coalition ... our plans are consistent with the Coalition's long-term strategy and the Iraqi government's desire for increased Iraqi security responsibility.

"This is the strategy of transition, which we are working towards, as are the Americans. We always said this was a process and not an event and will happen at a different pace across Iraq."

Khalilzad, who is set to be Washington's next ambassador to the United Nations, earlier said in an interview with the BBC: "It's clear what our preference would be -- the longer we stay together here, the better," adding that he was convinced that a "mutually acceptable" agreement would be reached.

Earlier this month, US President George W. Bush announced a major policy shift for Iraq after nearly four years of escalating violence, saying that he was adding 21,500 soldiers to the 132,000 US troops deployed in the country.

Britain, by contrast, has said it hopes to withdraw thousands of its 7,200 troops in Iraq, most of whom are deployed to the south of the country.

Provided by AFP.