LONDON, April 1 (Reuters) - Britain will postpone plans to pull up to 1,500 troops out of Iraq due to unrest in the southern city of Basra, Defence Secretary Des Browne told parliament on Tuesday.

"In the light of the last week's events ... it is prudent that we pause any further reductions while the current situation is unfolding," Browne said.

"At this stage we intend to keep our forces at their current levels of around 4,000 as we work with our coalition partners and with the Iraqis to assess future requirements."

Britain had intended to cut troop numbers to 2,500 "from the spring".

(Reporting by David Clarke; Editing by Luke Baker)

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