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I'm a nervous wreck: Prince Harry

"I am nervous wreck,'' the News of the World, a weekly tabloid, reported Harry as telling a group of friends on Friday, ahead of his much publicized posting to Iraq as a British army officer.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 00:00 April 29, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • The British ministry says it is still reconsidering Prince Harry's deployment to Iraq.
  • Image Credit: AP

London: "I am a nervous wreck," British tabloid News of the World quoted Harry as telling a group of friends ahead of his much publicized posting to Iraq as an army officer.

"I've waited a long time and just want to get out there and serve my country," the weekly tabloid quoted Harry as saying.

Debate is raging in Britain over whether Harry, third in line to the throne, should be deployed for combat in Iraq. The Defence Ministry reiterated on Sunday that it is still reconsidering Harry's deployment.

Iraqi militias have threatened to kidnap or kill the 22-year-old soldier, according to British media reports. Commanders feel Harry's presence in Iraq will only endanger his team.

The tabloid reported Harry as telling a group of around 20 close friends at a London nightclub that he is prepared to "do anything they throw at me."

"It's a great, great feeling to go to Iraq," he reportedly said. "I don't know what to expect. I'm nervous, excited and apprehensive ... and I'm really looking forward to it. I just want to get out there and do it."

But royal biographer Robert Lacey said in The Observer newspaper: "It's clear he is a celebrity target. His capture or death would be an enormous victory for the enemy and setback for Britain."

Defence analyst Charles Heyman said Harry should go. "Harry himself has trained as a soldier - that is his career path and if you don't send him, he will have no credibility whatsoever. It will destroy him."

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