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UK Basra base exit 'not a defeat' UK Basra base exit 'not a defeat'
(10 minutes later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has insisted that the withdrawal of British troops from the southern Iraqi city of Basra is not a defeat.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has insisted that the withdrawal of British troops from the southern Iraqi city of Basra is not a defeat.
The 550 soldiers have handed Basra Palace over to Iraqi control and joined 5,000 UK troops at their last base, near Basra Airport, outside the city.The 550 soldiers have handed Basra Palace over to Iraqi control and joined 5,000 UK troops at their last base, near Basra Airport, outside the city.
The MoD said the handover of Basra province was now due in the autumn.The MoD said the handover of Basra province was now due in the autumn.
Mr Brown insisted the withdrawal was "pre-planned and organised" and said UK forces would take an "overwatch" role.Mr Brown insisted the withdrawal was "pre-planned and organised" and said UK forces would take an "overwatch" role.
Map showing location of Basra Palace and airport Map showing location of Basra Palace and airport
This will mean troops cannot go out unless requested by Iraqi authorities, but they will still train and mentor Iraqi security forces.This will mean troops cannot go out unless requested by Iraqi authorities, but they will still train and mentor Iraqi security forces.
The PM told the BBC's Today programme that the number of British troops in Iraq would remain roughly the same, and that they could "re-intervene" if necessary.The PM told the BBC's Today programme that the number of British troops in Iraq would remain roughly the same, and that they could "re-intervene" if necessary.
He promised that they would continue to "discharge our duties to the Iraqi people and the international community".He promised that they would continue to "discharge our duties to the Iraqi people and the international community".
A Downing Street spokesman added the withdrawal was part of the ongoing process of handing over to Iraqi security forces.A Downing Street spokesman added the withdrawal was part of the ongoing process of handing over to Iraqi security forces.
'Iraqi-led initiative'
He would not confirm this would mean an overall reduction in the number of troops in Iraq, saying this would "depend on the assessment of commanders on the ground over the coming weeks and months".He would not confirm this would mean an overall reduction in the number of troops in Iraq, saying this would "depend on the assessment of commanders on the ground over the coming weeks and months".
Most of the people on the ground that I've spoken to and most of the reports that I get seem to suggest that the security situation in Basra is absolutely dire Charles HeymanBritish armed forces expert MoD statement on withdrawal A UK withdrawal or retreat?
British troops started pulling out of Basra Palace in southern Iraq on Sunday night, and the MoD confirmed the withdrawal was complete on Monday.British troops started pulling out of Basra Palace in southern Iraq on Sunday night, and the MoD confirmed the withdrawal was complete on Monday.
It added in a statement said: "Handing over Basra Palace to the Iraqi authorities has long been our intention, as we have stated publicly on numerous occasions."It added in a statement said: "Handing over Basra Palace to the Iraqi authorities has long been our intention, as we have stated publicly on numerous occasions."
Maj Mike Shearer, British spokesman in Basra, said a bugler from Four Rifles led the advance at 0100 local time.Maj Mike Shearer, British spokesman in Basra, said a bugler from Four Rifles led the advance at 0100 local time.
Our decsions in Basra reflect the situation on the ground, above all the growing capacity of the Iraqi security forces, and are signed off by the Coaltion and the Iraqi government David MilibandForeign Secretary MoD statement on withdrawal A UK withdrawal or retreat?
He added: "There were no major incidents during the operation and all troops were back at the continuing operating base by midday today Iraqi time."He added: "There were no major incidents during the operation and all troops were back at the continuing operating base by midday today Iraqi time."
The MoD said UK forces would now operate from their base at Basra Air Station and "retain security responsibility" for Basra until the full handover. The military will continue to train Iraqi troops.The MoD said UK forces would now operate from their base at Basra Air Station and "retain security responsibility" for Basra until the full handover. The military will continue to train Iraqi troops.
Charles Heyman, an expert on Britain's armed forces, said it made military sense to withdraw from Basra Palace now. Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "Our decsions in Basra reflect the situation on the ground, above all the growing capacity of the Iraqi security forces, and are signed off by the Coaltion and the Iraqi government."
He told the BBC: "They are a long way from the main British base... which is at the airport and re-supplying those troops in the city is very, very difficult.
The MoD says a full handover could happen in the autumn
"It is very dangerous and we've had a lot of casualties on the re-supply runs.
"You could dress that up with a bit of political rhetoric to suggest now is the time to hand over - but most of the people on the ground that I've spoken to and most of the reports that I get seem to suggest that the security situation in Basra is absolutely dire."
The head of Iraqi security forces in Basra province, General Mohan Tahir, gave details of the withdrawal at his first news conference in the city.The head of Iraqi security forces in Basra province, General Mohan Tahir, gave details of the withdrawal at his first news conference in the city.
He said Iraqi troops were now in control of Basra Palace.He said Iraqi troops were now in control of Basra Palace.
'Highly symbolic''Highly symbolic'
BBC correspondent Richard Galpin in Baghdad said this was a "highly symbolic moment, marking the end of Britain's physical military presence in any Iraqi city".BBC correspondent Richard Galpin in Baghdad said this was a "highly symbolic moment, marking the end of Britain's physical military presence in any Iraqi city".
I see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader
Over the past year British forces have handed over control of three Iraqi southern provinces, with only Basra province remaining under their control.Over the past year British forces have handed over control of three Iraqi southern provinces, with only Basra province remaining under their control.
I see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader
The security situation in the city will be watched closely, as there are concerns rival Shia factions could vie for control.The security situation in the city will be watched closely, as there are concerns rival Shia factions could vie for control.
Former Foreign Office official Rory Stewart, who served as deputy governor of two southern Iraqi provinces from 2003 to 2004, told the BBC's Have Your Say programme that "we simply do not have any control over southern Iraq and that has been the situation in my mind for about two and a half years now".
The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, told BBC News24 he thought the pull-out marked the end of British troops' role in Iraq.The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, told BBC News24 he thought the pull-out marked the end of British troops' role in Iraq.
'Necessary step''Necessary step'
He said: "It's an admission that the sort of role which has been performed from Basra Palace is no longer effective.He said: "It's an admission that the sort of role which has been performed from Basra Palace is no longer effective.
"I see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces.""I see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces."
Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the forces' families would want to know every possible precaution had been taken to maximise the troops' safety during this period.Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the forces' families would want to know every possible precaution had been taken to maximise the troops' safety during this period.
"Our troops must not be put at needless risk to satisfy the political needs of Gordon Brown's government. Any moves must be based upon the military reality on the ground," he said."Our troops must not be put at needless risk to satisfy the political needs of Gordon Brown's government. Any moves must be based upon the military reality on the ground," he said.
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Are you an Iraqi in Basra? What is the situation like there now? Have you served with the armed forces there? Send us your experiences by filling out the form below.Are you an Iraqi in Basra? What is the situation like there now? Have you served with the armed forces there? Send us your experiences by filling out the form below.
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