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UK troops begin Basra withdrawal Basra base withdrawal nears end
(about 9 hours later)
British troops in Iraq are expected to complete a withdrawal from their Basra Palace base in the next few days, Ministry of Defence has said. The final withdrawal of British troops in Iraq from their base at Basra Palace is almost complete, sources have informed the BBC.
The 550 soldiers are handing the palace over to Iraqi control and joining the remaining 5,000 troops at the last British base near Basra Airport.The 550 soldiers are handing the palace over to Iraqi control and joining the remaining 5,000 troops at the last British base near Basra Airport.
The MoD said the handover of Basra itself was now expected in the autumn.The MoD said the handover of Basra itself was now expected in the autumn.
A Downing Street spokesman confirmed Prime Minister Gordon Brown was aware of the operation at the palace.A Downing Street spokesman confirmed Prime Minister Gordon Brown was aware of the operation at the palace.
He added the withdrawal was part of the ongoing process of handing over to Iraqi security forces.He added the withdrawal was part of the ongoing process of handing over to Iraqi security forces.
'Iraqi-led initiative''Iraqi-led initiative'
He would not confirm this would mean an overall reduction in the number of troops on the ground 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 on the ground in Iraq, saying this would "depend on the assessment of commanders on the ground over the coming weeks and months".
British troops started pulling out of Basra Palace on Sunday night.British troops started pulling out of Basra Palace on Sunday night.
UK troops have been based in southern Iraq 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 class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6975583.stm">MoD statement on withdrawal
An MoD statement said: "Handing over Basra Palace to the Iraqi authorities has long been our intention, as we have stated publicly on numerous occasions. BBC correspondent Richard Galpin in Baghdad said he had been told by sources that the pull-out was nearly finished and that Iraqi security forces were now in control of the palace.
"We expect the handover to occur in the next few days. The Iraqi security forces want to take full responsibility for their own security and the handover is a step towards that goal. An MoD statement said: "Handing over Basra Palace to the Iraqi authorities has long been our intention, as we have stated publicly on numerous occasions."
"The decision is an Iraqi-led initiative and is part of a coalition-endorsed process, developed in consultation with the Iraqi government, and follows the successful handover of several other bases within and around the city."
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.
US surge Charles Heyman, an expert on Britain's armed forces, said it made military sense to withdraw from Basra Palace now.
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.
UK troops have been based in southern Iraq
"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 ever 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 ever 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.
The BBC's correspondent in Baghdad, Richard Galpin, said this was a "highly symbolic moment, marking the end of Britain's physical military presence in any Iraqi city". 'Highly symbolic'
I see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell The BBC's Richard Galpin said this was a "highly symbolic moment, marking the end of Britain's physical military presence in any Iraqi city".
He said it was his understanding that the British troops would primarily be involved in what is called an "overwatch" position.He said it was his understanding that the British troops would primarily be involved in what is called an "overwatch" position.
I see this as a necessary step towards what I believe to be the withdrawal which would be in the interests of British forces Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell
This will mean they cannot go out unless called, but they will still train and mentor Iraqi security forces.This will mean they cannot go out unless called, but they will still train and mentor Iraqi security forces.
Over the past year British forces have handed over control of three Iraqi southern provinces.Over the past year British forces have handed over control of three Iraqi southern provinces.
Only Basra province remains under their control, and there has been speculation that the handover could take place within the next few months, our correspondent adds.Only Basra province remains under their control, and there has been speculation that the handover could take place within the next few months, our correspondent adds.
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.
'Necessary step'
The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, told BBC News 24 he thought the pull-out marked the end of British troops' role in Iraq.The Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, told BBC News 24 he thought the pull-out marked the end of British troops' role in Iraq.
'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.