Prince Harry set for Iraq deployment

London: Britain's Prince Harry could be deployed to Iraq by the end of the month, a newspaper reported on Saturday.

The 22-year-old third in line to the throne will be sent to Basra to join more than 7,000 British troops, the Daily Mirror reported, citing an unnamed senior military source.

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

"No final decisions have been made on which units are even taking over," a spokeswoman said.

The newspaper said that Harry is likely to be put in charge of 12 soldiers performing reconnaissance missions in the desert.

"Naturally, his royal status has to be taken into account - but he will see action," the Mirror quoted the source as saying.

Earlier this month, the Daily Telegraph reported that defence chiefs were drawing up a plan to deploy Harry without putting his life in any danger.