By DPA
London : The British government has confirmed that security for the Basra province in southern Iraq would be handed over to Iraqi forces, as planned, in December.
A joint statement Tuesday by Foreign Secretary David Miliband, and Defence Secretary Des Browne, who is currently visiting troops in Iraq, said the handover was “firmly in line” with government plans to pass over control “progressively”.
“We congratulate all of those who have helped achieve this, most notably British and coalition military and civilian personnel,” the statement said.
Basra province is the last area where British troops have responsibility for security, following a similar handover of control in the provinces of Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Maysan.
The statement said the decision had not been taken “lightly,” and Britain’s commitment would now enter a “new stage”.
“The decision to hand over any of the provinces is not made lightly and a rigorous assessment of both the prospects for enduring security and the capabilities of the Iraqi authorities has been conducted,” it said.
Following the formal handover ceremony in December, British and coalition forces would have an “overwatch role” across the whole of southern Iraq, it added.
“We will continue to train and mentor the Iraqi security forces and we will protect the border and supply routes, while retaining the capability to support the Iraqis directly if so requested,” it added.
But the Iraqis would “take the lead”. No exact date for the handover was given.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Gordon Brown set out plans to cut British troop levels in Iraq to 2,500 from next spring, from current levels of around 5,000.
British troops moved out of headquarters in the centre of Basra in early September, following almost daily attacks by insurgents, to a complex on the outskirts near the international airport.