UK troops withdraw from Basra

[David WJ Sherlock]

British troops in Iraq have begun to withdraw from their base at Basra Palace in the southern city, the Iraqi Defence Ministry has announced.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/6975375.stm

[TonyGosling]

All 5000 British soldiers are now waiting at the airport to come home. According to this morning's 'Today' programme on Radio 4 The US Commanders expressed 'suprise' and The Iraqi puppet government are delighted.

British troops leave Iraq base
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/british+troops+leave+iraq+ base/757547
Source: ITN



British troops have left Basra Palace in the south of Iraq, ending the permanent presence of the Army in the city.

A group of 550 soldiers withdrew overnight to join the rest of Britain's 5,000 UK forces at Basra Air Station, where the multi-national force for the whole of southern Iraq is also based.

A Ministry of Defence statement said: "Handing over Basra Palace to the Iraqi authorities has long been our intention, as we have stated publicly on numerous occasions............