Iraq takes control of Basra from British Army

IRAQ, Iraq formally took security control of the southern oil province of Basra from British forces on Sunday, paving the way for Britain to sharply reduce its nearly 5,000-strong troop presence.

"The handover means victory for Iraq and defeat to its enemies," Iraq's national security adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubaie said at the handover ceremony.

"This achievement is one of the main achievements of the national unity government. It has come after sacrifices and direct support from our sons and all Iraqis. Our biggest challenge is to maintain the security in Basra."

Basra, the ninth of Iraq's 18 provinces to be returned to local control by the US-led coalition, is the fourth and final province under British control since the 2003 invasion to be transferred.

The ceremony saw Iraq showcasing its military equipment as soldiers paraded in front of a palace of the executed dictator Saddam Hussein. Iraqi forces were heavily deployed in Basra to thwart any insurgent attacks, while helicopters patrolled the skies, an AFP correspondent said. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband hailed the transfer as "a major step forward."

"It is a testament to the growing capacity of the Iraqi security forces, and to Iraqi readiness to step up and assume responsibility," he said. "I want Iraqis to know... Britain remains a committed friend."

British troops were greeted as liberators when they rolled into Basra but never subsequently succeeded in winning over the predominantly Shiite population. Few residents will mourn their departure.

"It's our wish to see the Iraqis take responsibility for security in place of the British. They never understood anything except the language of the bullet," complained Abu Ahmed, a 55-year-old parking attendant.

A BBC opinion poll found that the vast majority of Basra residents share that sentiment.

Monday, AFP