A large Iraqi flag is hanged in Basra in preparation for the handover ceremony at which UK troops handed control over the province to Iraqi authorities. Photo by BBC
British troops handed over control of Basra province to the Iraqi authorities on Sunday, four-and-a-half years after the invasion.
The handover marks a significant milestone towards Britain's final withdrawal from southern Iraq, British authorities said as cited by BBC.
"As you step up, we step back," the British commander, Graham Binns, told Iraqi troops and officials at the transfer ceremony broadcast live on the Iraqi state television.
Representatives of the two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding and Iraq's security adviser, Mowaffak al-Rubaie, commented that the "historic" day marked a "victory for Iraq".
The 4,500 British troops still in the country will now focus on training Iraqi forces and could be called for help if needed but will stay in a backseat role, officials said.
The number of UK troops in Iraq is set to be reduced to 2,500 from the spring.