Prince Harry will serve in Iraq 'over the next few months'

London: Britain's Prince Harry, who is third in line to the throne, is being deployed to Iraq where he will become the first British royal to serve in a war zone for 25 years.

A defence ministry spokesman said yesterday the red-haired prince would be sent to Iraq with his 'A' Squadron of the Blues and Royals regiment "over the next few months" as part of the latest British troop rotation.

But the deployment of the younger son of the late Princess Diana may be a major security headache for military commanders as the prince could be a target for insurgents and a magnet for suicide bombers.

"This is like President Bush sending a son to the frontline. The decision is both dangerous and courageous at the same time," said Evening Standard royal correspondent Robert Jobson.

"It is a success for Harry but he has become the number one target for insurgents."

Harry could be the first member of the royal family to face combat since his uncle, Prince Andrew, flew helicopters in the 1982 Falklands War. Harry's great-grandfather, King George VI, saw action in the First World War.

The announcement comes a day after Britain said it would be withdrawing almost a quarter of its 7,100 troops from Iraq in coming months. But British soldiers would remain in the country into 2008 if Iraq wanted them to provide support and training.