Prince Harry trains for Iraq

London: Britain's Prince Harry, an army officer and third in line to the throne, will receive training to prepare for deployment in Iraq, a newspaper said on Sunday.

Harry's regiment, the Blues and Royals, has been earmarked to serve in Iraq from April, according to the News of the World. Some 7,100 British troops are stationed mostly in the south of Iraq.

A spokesman for Clarence House, which speaks on behalf of the princes, would not confirm the report. "No decision on deployment has been made," the spokesman said.

Defence officials said earlier it was intended that Harry undertake a full range of operations but his deployment or presence in a conflict zone may be reconsidered if he were to become a specific target.