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/7146507.stm
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 16 | Version 17 |
|---|---|
| UK troops return Basra to Iraqis | UK troops return Basra to Iraqis |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| 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". |
| Continuing commitment | Continuing commitment |
| 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. |
| We are not handing over a land of milk and honey David Miliband,Foreign secretary class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7146077.stm">Soldiers reflect on mission class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7146999.stm">In pictures: Basra handover 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. |
| Maj Gen Binns said Iraqi security forces had proved they were ready to take over. | Maj Gen Binns said Iraqi security forces had proved they were ready to take over. |
| "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. |
| Troop reductions | Troop reductions |
| The 4,500 British troops still in Iraq will now take a backseat role, focusing on training Iraqi forces. | The 4,500 British troops still in Iraq will now take a backseat role, focusing on training Iraqi forces. |
| Speaking after the handover ceremony, Mr Miliband indicated there could be a decision on further British troop reductions within months. | 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." | 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." |
| 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 | Maj Gen Graham Binns hands over to Dr Mowaffak Baqer al-Rubaie |
| They will be responsible for controlling insurgents in the area. | They will be responsible for controlling insurgents in the area. |
| Questioned later by Iraqi journalists, Dr al-Rubaie made clear that UK forces would no longer be able to carry out military operations without being asked. | Questioned later by Iraqi journalists, Dr al-Rubaie made clear that UK forces would no longer be able to carry out military operations without being asked. |
| Such requests would have to be approved by the governor of Basra or even the Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki. | Such requests would have to be approved by the governor of Basra or even the Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki. |
| Dr al-Rubaie, who insisted the security forces were acting to stem the flow of weapons and foreign fighters into Iraq, said: "(British troops) would step in and help when they are called on to do so regarding security." | Dr al-Rubaie, who insisted the security forces were acting to stem the flow of weapons and foreign fighters into Iraq, said: "(British troops) would step in and help when they are called on to do so regarding security." |
| Prison releases | Prison releases |
| Dr al-Rubaie also revealed he was expecting to see around 17,000 prisoners and detainees go free nationwide in the coming months. | Dr al-Rubaie also revealed he was expecting to see around 17,000 prisoners and detainees go free nationwide in the coming months. |
| "Twenty-six thousand prisoners are being held in multi-national and coalition prisons now," he said. | "Twenty-six thousand prisoners are being held in multi-national and coalition prisons now," he said. |
| "There is a plan currently being looked into by both sides to release a lot of those; approximately two-thirds will be released." | "There is a plan currently being looked into by both sides to release a lot of those; approximately two-thirds will be released." |
| 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". |
| 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." |
| '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 | 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. |
| 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. |
| "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." |
| 'Cost and calamity' | 'Cost and calamity' |
| 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 | The parade through Basra included columns of Iraqi tanks |
| 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". |
| 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: |