This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6458173.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Escape from UK-run prison in Iraq Escape from UK-run prison in Iraq
(about 2 hours later)
Eleven detainees have escaped from a British military prison in southern Iraq, the British Army has said.Eleven detainees have escaped from a British military prison in southern Iraq, the British Army has said.
Ten of them had "swapped" places with visitors over the past week, an Army spokesman said.Ten of them had "swapped" places with visitors over the past week, an Army spokesman said.
Their disappearance from the Shuaiba military base, west of the southern city of Basra, was only noticed on Friday.Their disappearance from the Shuaiba military base, west of the southern city of Basra, was only noticed on Friday.
It was not immediately clear when or how the prisoners escaped. Some had been held for up to two years. A UK military spokesman confirmed that the escape plot had involved prisoners making "a change of clothes".
'Embarrassing incident''Embarrassing incident'
UK military spokesman Major David Gell confirmed that there had been an escape but gave few details. Major David Gell said British forces became aware of the disappearance at 1700 local time (1400 GMT).
"We are aware of the incident and it is now under investigation. We will make a statement soon," he told the AFP news agency. He added: "Clearly we're very unhappy about it, it's a regrettable incident.
"An investigation was undertaken straight away and we became aware that it was a very coordinated escape involving ten people and an exchange of clothes. "
A security source told the agency that the prisoners had been held without charge for the past two years.A security source told the agency that the prisoners had been held without charge for the past two years.
BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood, who is in Basra with the British Army, described it as "a very embarrassing incident" for the army.BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood, who is in Basra with the British Army, described it as "a very embarrassing incident" for the army.
It appeared that 10 of the detainees had swapped clothes with visitors and walked out of the prison, he said.It appeared that 10 of the detainees had swapped clothes with visitors and walked out of the prison, he said.
He added: "It does not speak of very tight security given that the British Army says these people were considered to pose a threat to the security of Iraq and to the multi-national forces."He added: "It does not speak of very tight security given that the British Army says these people were considered to pose a threat to the security of Iraq and to the multi-national forces."
Thousands of Iraqis are held in US and British-run prisons across Iraq for security reasons.Thousands of Iraqis are held in US and British-run prisons across Iraq for security reasons.