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/uk/7140550.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Basra handover to Iraq on Sunday | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| British forces will hand back control of security in Basra province to Iraq on Sunday, it has been confirmed. | British forces will hand back control of security in Basra province to Iraq on Sunday, it has been confirmed. |
| An Iraqi government spokesman announced that "the handover would go ahead on the 16th of this month". | An Iraqi government spokesman announced that "the handover would go ahead on the 16th of this month". |
| The UK's Maj Mike Shearer said the setting of a date for the handover to Iraqi authorities was a "very positive step in the right direction". | |
| Gordon Brown said the move would take place inside two weeks when he visited British troops in Iraq at the weekend. | |
| 'Security responsibility' | |
| Maj Shearer told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "We absolutely welcome the announcement that we are going to move to Iraqi provincial control on the 16th. | |
| "That's a very positive step in the right direction and clear recognition that the security situation is such that the Iraqi security forces are able to take on that responsibility." | |
| The prime minister said the province - the final area of Iraq which is still under UK control - would be handed back when he addressed British troops at Basra air station on an unannounced visit. | |
| His announcement came following talks between Mr Brown and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. | |
| The 4,500 British troops still in Iraq will now focus on training Iraqi forces. | |
| UK troop numbers are set to be reduced to 2,500 from the spring. |