Prince Harry set for Iraq posting: Report

Britain8217;s Prince Harry, an army officer and third in line to the throne, could be deployed to Iraq by the end of February, a newspaper reported on Saturday. The 22-year-old will be sent to Basra, southern Iraq, where Britain has more than 7,000 troops, the Daily Mirror said, citing an unnamed senior military source.

A royal family spokesman declined to comment on the report, while the Ministry of Defence said it was 8220;entirely speculative8221;.

8220;No final decisions have been made on which units are even taking over,8221; a spokeswoman said. 8220;When it is made, then Parliament will be told first in the normal way.8221;

Harry is likely to be in charge of 12 soldiers in light armoured vehicles performing reconnaissance missions in the desert, the newspaper said. Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to announce the news officially on February 26, the report said.