By DPA
London/Basra : British troops Sunday handed over Basra province to Iraqi authorities in a major step towards a full and final withdrawal from the country.
Basra was the last province under British military control, four and a half years after Britain joined the US-led invasion to overthrow former dictator Saddam Hussein.
Earlier the southern provinces of Muthanna, Maysan and Dhi Qar assumed responsibility of their own security.
A handover ceremony at Basra’s airport was held amid tight security.
Iraqi national security advisor, Muwafaq al-Rubaei, thanked the British troops and Major General Graham Binns, who had led the forces into the city in 2003, for “building the Iraqi security forces.”
“Now is the time to crack down on the militias, corruption and extremists and to build your province,” al-Rubaei said, addressing Iraqis at the ceremony.
In statements to the press however he cautioned that the security status is only a reflection of the political status, adding, “Without a political accord, we cannot benefit from this situation.”
The move prepares a reduction of British troops to 4,500 by the end of the month and to 2,500 next year.
A total of 174 British servicemen and women have died in Iraq since the invasion.
However, British forces are to continue in an “over watch” role to assist Iraqi troops from their last base in the country at Basra Airport. They will also continue to train Iraqi troops.