British forces start withdrawal from Basra

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: The official ceremony of the withdrawal of the British forces from Basra started on Thursday morning. The ceremony began by paying tribute to the British soldiers who were killed in the province before playing the British military anthem, while soldiers remain in organized ranks in preparation for the withdrawal of their brigade. A memorial service has taken place in Basra for the 179 British personnel who have died in the country, attended by British Defense Secretary John Hutton. This coincides with the visit of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to Britain to take part in the London conference on investments in Iraq. British defense officials say plans for the withdrawal of British forces in Iraq are well advanced. They began their official pull-out last month when the U.K.’s commander in the south of the country, Maj Gen Andy Salmon, handed over to a U.S. general. British troops took a step closer to withdrawal at the start of the year when Basra International Airport – used as a UK military base – was passed to full Iraqi control. SH (S)/SR 1