Britain's main opposition party would pull British troops out of Germany if it wins the next general election, the shadow defense secretary said in an interview published Saturday.
Liam Fox said the Conservative party would withdraw the 25,000 British troops and use them for NATO operations outside Europe.
British troops entered Germany at the end of World War II as an occupying power and remained as part of NATO to protect the country from Soviet invasion. Most troops are based in Lower Saxony and near the Rhine river. Fox suggested other countries like Poland could now take up responsibility for helping secure Germany.
"If other countries are willing to take up roles in continental defense, that leaves Britain and France able to take on expeditionary roles," he told The Daily Telegraph. "Finding a more creative diplomatic solution in NATO will be a priority for an incoming Conservative government."
Britain's next general election will take place before June 2010.
Britain's Ministry of Defense was not immediately available for comment.
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