Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

British forces hand over responsibility for Basra

Last Updated: Sunday, December 16, 2007 | 5:25 PM ET

Britain formally handed over security control of the southeastern province of Basra to Iraqi forces on Sunday.

During a ceremony at an airport base, British and Iraqi representatives signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize the handover.

Iraqi soldiers march during a handover ceremony in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, on Sunday. British forces formally handed over responsibility Sunday for the last region in Iraq under their control. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)Iraqi soldiers march during a handover ceremony in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, on Sunday. British forces formally handed over responsibility Sunday for the last region in Iraq under their control. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

The commander of British forces in Basra, Maj. Gen. Graham Binns, said the city had been pulled from the grip of its enemies.

"I now formally hand it back to its friends," Binns said shortly before adding his signature to papers relinquishing responsibility for the region, home to most of Iraq's oil reserves.

Binns said British forces would remain to help the Iraqis, but he promised his soldiers would not try to direct security efforts.

"We will continue to help train Basra security forces. But we are guests in your country, and we will act accordingly," he said.

Basra is the ninth out of the 18 Iraqi provinces to be handed over to the Iraqi forces by coalition troops since the U.S.-led invasion to topple President Saddam Hussein's administration four and a half years ago.

Britain was the only country to send a large contingent, numbering 40,000 troops, to back the United States during the 2003 invasion.

British officials have said they are reducing the number of troops in the country from 4,500 to 2,000 by spring.

The contingent has never succeeded in winning over the predominately Shia Muslim population. A total of 174 British personnel have died in Iraq since 2003.

U.S. President George W. Bush predicted in January that Iraq would assume control all of its provinces by November, but the target date has slipped repeatedly, highlighting the difficulties in developing Iraqi police forces and the slow pace of political progress.

U.S. forces retain control of nine of Iraq's provinces, including Baghdad and some of the country's most volatile areas, such as Diyala and Anbar.

With files from the Associated Press

Related

Video

Andrew North reports for CBC-TV (Runs: 2:34)
Play: QuickTime »
Play: Real Media »

More World Headlines »

Obama, Huckabee win Iowa caucuses Video
Democratic Illinois Senator Barack Obama and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee have been declared the winners of their presidential caucuses in Iowa, the first test in the race for the White House.
Kenyan protesters set to march again Friday Video
Kenya's opposition party said it will try again Friday to hold a banned anti-government rally in the country's capital, after hundreds of protesters at Thursday's planned march were met with tear gas and water cannons.
Musharraf not 'fully satisfied' with Pakistani probe of Bhutto's death Video
Pervez Musharraf denied accusations the military or intelligence services were involved in the killing of Benazir Bhutto, but said he was not satisfied with Pakistan's probe into her death.
At least 9 Palestinians reported killed as Israeli troops enter Gaza
Israeli troops and air strikes killed at least nine Palestinians on Thursday, including three civilians, according to witnesses and Palestinian medics, in an operation the Israeli military said was aimed at curbing rocket attacks from the southern Gaza Strip.
DNA evidence frees Texas man jailed 26 years for rape
A Texas man who spent 26 years in jail for raping his neighbour was released from a Dallas prison on Thursday after a DNA test cleared his name.
Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Obama, Huckabee win Iowa caucuses Video
Democratic Illinois Senator Barack Obama and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee have been declared the winners of their presidential caucuses in Iowa, the first test in the race for the White House.
Kenyan protesters set to march again Friday Video
Kenya's opposition party said it will try again Friday to hold a banned anti-government rally in the country's capital, after hundreds of protesters at Thursday's planned march were met with tear gas and water cannons.
Musharraf not 'fully satisfied' with Pakistani probe of Bhutto's death Video
Pervez Musharraf denied accusations the military or intelligence services were involved in the killing of Benazir Bhutto, but said he was not satisfied with Pakistan's probe into her death.
more »

Canada »

Police ID 14-year-old victim of Toronto's first 2008 homicide Video
A 14-year-old-girl killed on New Year's Day has been identified by Toronto police as Stefanie Rengel, the daughter and stepdaughter of two veteran Toronto police officers.
Atlantic Canada digs out from latest storm Video
The East Coast was digging out Thursday after the latest in a series of winter storms — but there were few places to put all the white stuff.
Attacker dies in botched home invasion east of Calgary
A violent home invasion east of Calgary ended with one of the attackers dead and a second suffering serious stab wounds early Thursday morning.
more »

Health »

Massive survey examining health, toxic chemical levels of Canadians to begin
A groundbreaking national health survey to discover what kinds of toxic chemicals are in Canadians' bodies, as well as examining other health issues such as obesity, will begin in B.C. in the coming days.
Brisk walking regime can alleviate stress in menopausal women
Menopausal women who suffer from stress, anxiety or depression can benefit from undertaking a regular walking routine, new research suggests.
Cocaine vaccine in development in U.S.
Two U.S. researchers in Houston are working on a cocaine vaccine they hope will become the first-ever medication to treat people hooked on the drug.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

Stinky Cheese man named U.S. kids' books ambassador
Jon Scieszka, author of such bestselling picture books as The Stinky Cheese Man and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, has been named the ambassador for children's books in the U.S.
Expect pickets at Golden Globes, striking writers say
The Writers Guild of America is saying no deal to Golden Globe Awards organizers, who had hoped to negotiate a ceremony without a picket line.
Sean Penn to head Cannes festival jury
American actor and director Sean Penn will head the awards jury at the Cannes Film Festival this year, organizers announced Thursday.
more »

Technology & Science »

Insects contributed to dinosaur's demise, book says
The rise of insects was a factor in the downfall of dinosaurs, according to new book, What Bugged the Dinosaurs? Insects, Disease and Death in the Cretaceous.
Wikia Search nears launch
Wikia Search, a search engine that will use human input to answer queries, will get a test launch Jan. 7.
Nature, man jointly cook Arctic: report
There's more to the recent dramatic and alarming thawing of the Arctic region than can be explained by man-made global warming alone, a new study found.
more »

Money »

Chrysler takes over number two spot in Canadian car market
Chrysler Canada has overtaken Ford as the second-biggest vehicle seller in the country, bumping Ford out of the position it has held for decades.
Toyota outdrives Ford in 2007 in U.S. market
Toyota Motor Corp. moved into second spot in the U.S. market last year as it broke Ford's grip behind General Motors.
Gold reaches another new high
The price of gold hit new record levels on Thursday as it reached an intraday trading high of $871.20 US an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
more »

Consumer Life »

Florida cold snap didn't harm orange crops, say growers
A blast of unusually cold weather doesn't appear to have damaged Florida's multibillion-dollar citrus crop, an industry spokesperson said Thursday.
Drug makers spend more on marketing than research: study
U.S. drug companies spend almost twice as much on marketing and promoting medications than on research and development, a new Canadian study says.
Kids' stomach remedies contaminated with microbes: Health Canada
Health Canada is advising consumers not to use two natural health products to treat digestive upset in children because of contamination.
more »

Sports »

Scores: CFL MLB MLS

Penguins move indoors to face Leafs
Fresh off a dramatic victory in the outdoor Winter Classic on New Year's Day, the Pittsburgh Penguins return to the friendly confines of the Igloo Thursday to host the Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30 p.m. ET).
Canadian goalie Mason to start in world junior semifinal
Canada will stick with Steve Mason in goal for Friday's semifinal game against the United States at the world junior hockey championship in the Czech Republic, Canadian coach Craig Hartsburg said Thursday.
Clemens 'swears' to 60 Minutes he didn't use drugs
Roger Clemens said former trainer Brian McNamee injected him with the painkiller lidocaine and the vitamin B-12, according to the first excerpts released from the pitcher's interview with CBS's 60 Minutes.
more »