British troops have transferred control of Basra province to the Iraqi authorities, four-and-a-half years after the invasion.
British troops have transferred control of Basra province to the Iraqi authorities, four-and-a-half years after the invasion.
The handover marks a significant milestone towards Britain's final withdrawal from southern Iraq.
The handover marks a significant milestone towards Britain's final withdrawal from southern Iraq.
Maj Gen Graham Binns, who led British troops into the city in 2003, said it had "begun to regain its strength".
Maj Gen Graham Binns, who led British troops into the city in 2003, said it had "begun to regain its strength".
Iraq's National Security Adviser, Dr Mowaffak al-Rubaie, said the "historic" day marked a "victory for Iraq".
Iraq's National Security Adviser, Dr Mowaffak al-Rubaie, said the "historic" day marked a "victory for Iraq".
In a ceremony at Basra airport, British and Iraqi representatives signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise the handover.
In a ceremony at Basra airport, British and Iraqi representatives signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise the handover.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who was present, said Britain would remain a "committed friend" to Iraq.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who was present, said Britain would remain a "committed friend" to Iraq.
"Our aim is to see an Iraq run by Iraqis for all Iraqis," he said.
"Our aim is to see an Iraq run by Iraqis for all Iraqis," he said.
The 4,500 British troops still in Iraq will focus on training Iraqi forces.
Speaking after the handover ceremony, Mr Miliband indicated there could be a decision on further British troop reductions within months.
He said: "The prime minister made clear that, by March of next year, by the spring of next year, there will be about 2,500 British troops. We will have to make a decision then about the future."
Dr al-Rubaie thanked British troops for their role in protecting the city from insurgents, retraining Iraqi soldiers and rebuilding the economy.
Dr al-Rubaie thanked British troops for their role in protecting the city from insurgents, retraining Iraqi soldiers and rebuilding the economy.
He also praised the "sacrifices" made by the people of Basra.
He also praised the "sacrifices" made by the people of Basra.
"This means a victory for Iraq and a defeat for its enemies," he said.
"This means a victory for Iraq and a defeat for its enemies," he said.
Backseat role
Backseat role
The handover prompted a parade of Iraqi troops in tanks and armoured vehicles through the streets of Basra.
The handover prompted a parade of Iraqi troops in tanks and armoured vehicles through the streets of Basra.
Maj Gen Graham Binns hands over to Dr Mowaffak Baqer al-Rubaie
They will now be responsible for controlling insurgents in the area. British troops will take a backseat role.
They will now be responsible for controlling insurgents in the area. British troops will take a backseat role.
The parade through Basra included columns of Iraqi tanks
Maj Gen Binns said Iraqi security forces had proved they were ready to take over, but the recent reduction in violence must "continue and improve" if Basra was to realise its "enormous potential".
Maj Gen Binns said Iraqi security forces had proved they were ready to take over, but the recent reduction in violence must "continue and improve" if Basra was to realise its "enormous potential".
"I came to rid Basra of its enemies and I now formally hand Basra back to its friends," he added.
"I came to rid Basra of its enemies and I now formally hand Basra back to its friends," he added.
British troops will now only get involved in combat if they themselves are attacked or if Iraqi commanders call for support.
British troops will now only get involved in combat if they themselves are attacked or if Iraqi commanders call for support.
The 4,500 British troops still in Iraq will focus on training Iraqi forces. UK troop numbers are set to be reduced to 2,500 from the spring.
The governor of Basra, Mohammed al-Waili, said he wanted to create "an arms-free city".
The governor of Basra, Mohammed al-Waili, said he wanted to create "an arms-free city".
"The arms and weapons should be in the hands of the armed forces only," he added.
"The arms and weapons should be in the hands of the armed forces only," he added.
We are not handing over a land of milk and honey David Miliband,Foreign secretary
We are not handing over a land of milk and honey David Miliband,Foreign secretary
BBC correspondent Andrew North said despite question marks over Iraqi security forces, especially the police, British commanders believed it was best for Iraqi forces to take the lead.
BBC correspondent Andrew North said despite question marks over Iraqi security forces, especially the police, British commanders believed it was best for Iraqi forces to take the lead.
Mr Miliband told the BBC there had been a "massive" reduction in insurgent activity in the last six months, although "common criminal violence" still needed to be addressed.
Mr Miliband told the BBC there had been a "massive" reduction in insurgent activity in the last six months, although "common criminal violence" still needed to be addressed.
And he said Iraq was still a "very, very violent" place, adding: "We are not handing over a land of milk and honey.
And he said Iraq was still a "very, very violent" place, adding: "We are not handing over a land of milk and honey.
"Our troops retain the capacity to intervene again should there be a breakdown of order."
"Our troops retain the capacity to intervene again should there be a breakdown of order."
Major General Patrick Cordingley, who commanded UK troops in the first Gulf War, said ordinary British soldiers in Iraq felt they had done "a very good job in extremely difficult conditions".
Major General Patrick Cordingley, who commanded UK troops in the first Gulf War, said ordinary British soldiers in Iraq felt they had done "a very good job in extremely difficult conditions".
The most important task now in Basra, he said, was to improve the infrastructure.
The most important task now in Basra, he said, was to improve the infrastructure.
'Home quicker'
'Home quicker'
Basra is the ninth of Iraq's 18 provinces to resume responsibility for its own security and the fourth to be handed over by British forces after Muthanna, Maysan and Dhi Qar.
Basra is the ninth of Iraq's 18 provinces to resume responsibility for its own security and the fourth to be handed over by British forces after Muthanna, Maysan and Dhi Qar.
The handover prompted a parade of Iraqi forces through Basra
In a poll of 1,000 Basra residents for BBC Newsnight, more than 85% said they believed British troops have had a negative effect on the Iraqi province since 2003.
In a poll of 1,000 Basra residents for BBC Newsnight, more than 85% said they believed British troops have had a negative effect on the Iraqi province since 2003.
But two-thirds thought security would improve following the handover.
But two-thirds thought security would improve following the handover.
Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq in 2004, has campaigned against the presence of British troops there.
Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq in 2004, has campaigned against the presence of British troops there.
We have never pretended that we were going to hand over a state that resembled Surrey Maj Mike Shearer
She told the BBC: "I'm not saying they've not achieved anything, I just don't think they should have gone in the first place.
She told the BBC: "I'm not saying they've not achieved anything, I just don't think they should have gone in the first place.
"We're proud of every one of them for what they have done, but I think they should have been home a lot quicker."
"We're proud of every one of them for what they have done, but I think they should have been home a lot quicker."
We have never pretended that we were going to hand over a state that resembled Surrey Maj Mike Shearer
Col Bob Stewart, former British commander with UN forces in Bosnia, told BBC News 24 that Britain's only real achievement in Iraq had been to remove Saddam Hussein from power.
Col Bob Stewart, former British commander with UN forces in Bosnia, told BBC News 24 that Britain's only real achievement in Iraq had been to remove Saddam Hussein from power.
British troops left their Basra city base in September
"We've got rid of Saddam, but we haven't given the Iraqis a great life," he said.
"We've got rid of Saddam, but we haven't given the Iraqis a great life," he said.
"If you were to actually grade it, one to 10, from the point of view of someone who lives in Basra... probably we would score it about three."
"If you were to actually grade it, one to 10, from the point of view of someone who lives in Basra... probably we would score it about three."
Maj Mike Shearer said: "We have never pretended that we were going to hand over a state that resembled Surrey.
Maj Mike Shearer said: "We have never pretended that we were going to hand over a state that resembled Surrey.
"We've always said that we would hand over the province when it was manageable for the Iraqi security forces, and it is just that."
"We've always said that we would hand over the province when it was manageable for the Iraqi security forces, and it is just that."
Three months ago, British troops pulled back from Basra city to their airport base.
Three months ago, British troops pulled back from Basra city to their airport base.
The parade through Basra included columns of Iraqi tanks
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who visited British troops in Iraq last weekend, said Iraq now had a democratic government and that violence was down 90% in recent months.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who visited British troops in Iraq last weekend, said Iraq now had a democratic government and that violence was down 90% in recent months.
Timetable
But the acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has questioned the need for the 4,500 British troops to remain in Iraq now their role has been downgraded.
But the acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has questioned the need for the 4,500 British troops to remain in Iraq now their role has been downgraded.
"The Government should set a timetable to bring all British troops home from Iraq."
"The Government should set a timetable to bring all British troops home from Iraq."
Scottish National Party defence spokesman Angus Robertson said the handover served as a reminder of the "dreadful cost and calamity" of what he called "Blair and Brown's misguided mission".
Scottish National Party defence spokesman Angus Robertson said the handover served as a reminder of the "dreadful cost and calamity" of what he called "Blair and Brown's misguided mission".
He said: "Our attentions must now focus on the complete withdrawal of all 4,500 troops who remain in Iraq, and who are still the target of insurgents."
He said: "Our attentions must now focus on the complete withdrawal of all 4,500 troops who remain in Iraq, and who are still the target of insurgents."
Have you served with the armed forces in Basra? The BBC News website is interested in reading some of your experiences and memories of the region. You can send your comments using the form below:
Have you served with the armed forces in Basra? The BBC News website is interested in reading some of your experiences and memories of the region. You can send your comments using the form below:
