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| UK troops begin Iraqi withdrawal | UK troops begin Iraqi withdrawal |
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| British forces have begun their official withdrawal from Iraq as the UK's commander in the south of the country hands over to a US general. | British forces have begun their official withdrawal from Iraq as the UK's commander in the south of the country hands over to a US general. |
| Major General Andy Salmon is transferring authority for what will become Multi-National Division South to US Major General Michael Oates. | Major General Andy Salmon is transferring authority for what will become Multi-National Division South to US Major General Michael Oates. |
| The generals' pennants are to be raised and lowered in a handover ceremony. | The generals' pennants are to be raised and lowered in a handover ceremony. |
| Most of Britain's 4,000 troops will leave by 31 May, the official end-of-combat date. | Most of Britain's 4,000 troops will leave by 31 May, the official end-of-combat date. |
| About 400 will stay after that, either in HQ roles or to train the Iraq Navy. | About 400 will stay after that, either in HQ roles or to train the Iraq Navy. |
| 'Freedom and stability' | 'Freedom and stability' |
| In a speech at the handover ceremony, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the Chief of Defence Staff, paid tribute to the troops who had served in Iraq. | |
| "This occasion is about the countless numbers of young men and women from the far flung corners of the US and and the various reaches of the British Isles, who have together striven here with such dedication, with such commitment, and such courage, over so long a period," he said. | |
| Maj Gen Salmon says much has been achieved over the past six years. | Maj Gen Salmon says much has been achieved over the past six years. |
| He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the work of British forces had changed the lives of ordinary Iraqis. | He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the work of British forces had changed the lives of ordinary Iraqis. |
| "For those who are old enough to realise, and compare it with the past gloom of Saddam's era, they look back to 30 years ago and say 'We're seeing stability that we haven't had before; we're seeing levels of freedom that we haven't had before'," he said. | "For those who are old enough to realise, and compare it with the past gloom of Saddam's era, they look back to 30 years ago and say 'We're seeing stability that we haven't had before; we're seeing levels of freedom that we haven't had before'," he said. |
| The bottom line, the aim of the transition itself is to make sure it is seamless Lt Colonel AJ Johnson Iraq: the beginning of the end | The bottom line, the aim of the transition itself is to make sure it is seamless Lt Colonel AJ Johnson Iraq: the beginning of the end |
| "We trust the Iraqi security forces. We can see economic investment start to take hold. We just had safe and secure free fair and an open set elections which have now been ratified and we now look to the future with considerable amounts of optimism." | "We trust the Iraqi security forces. We can see economic investment start to take hold. We just had safe and secure free fair and an open set elections which have now been ratified and we now look to the future with considerable amounts of optimism." |
| The US role in southern Iraq will be slightly different, focusing more on training the Iraqi police, and keeping open the supply route between the south and Baghdad. | The US role in southern Iraq will be slightly different, focusing more on training the Iraqi police, and keeping open the supply route between the south and Baghdad. |
| The BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says US soldiers are now a visible presence in Basra, with British troops handing over many of the buildings and duties at the camp as they pack up after six years in Iraq. | The BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says US soldiers are now a visible presence in Basra, with British troops handing over many of the buildings and duties at the camp as they pack up after six years in Iraq. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| But Lt Colonel AJ Johnson, the American taking over the job of liaising with the Iraqi Army at Basra Operations Centre, says there will not be much difference in the US approach in Basra - which means ensuring the Iraqi Army and police remain the most visible presence on the streets. | But Lt Colonel AJ Johnson, the American taking over the job of liaising with the Iraqi Army at Basra Operations Centre, says there will not be much difference in the US approach in Basra - which means ensuring the Iraqi Army and police remain the most visible presence on the streets. |
| Lt Col Johnson told the BBC: "The bottom line, the aim of the transition itself is to make sure it's seamless and that there's generally no perception that the US army is here and they are going to do things different than the British did when they were here." | Lt Col Johnson told the BBC: "The bottom line, the aim of the transition itself is to make sure it's seamless and that there's generally no perception that the US army is here and they are going to do things different than the British did when they were here." |
| The Americans are also reducing their numbers, with two brigades due to leave the province of Al-Anbar, once the heartland of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. | The Americans are also reducing their numbers, with two brigades due to leave the province of Al-Anbar, once the heartland of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. |
| However, the bulk of US troops are not due to leave until the end of 2011. | However, the bulk of US troops are not due to leave until the end of 2011. |
| Maj Gen Salmon said he did not regret that the British forces were leaving Basra before a credible police force was working in the city. | Maj Gen Salmon said he did not regret that the British forces were leaving Basra before a credible police force was working in the city. |
| "I don't think I have got any regrets over that; it's just the way it is. With the forces we have had and the resources we have had, we have concentrated on training the army," he said. | "I don't think I have got any regrets over that; it's just the way it is. With the forces we have had and the resources we have had, we have concentrated on training the army," he said. |
| "We've trained the 10th division and trained the 14th division. The 10th division has performed really well further north and the 14th division has performed brilliantly over the last year in Basra, so we've got something to be very proud of." | "We've trained the 10th division and trained the 14th division. The 10th division has performed really well further north and the 14th division has performed brilliantly over the last year in Basra, so we've got something to be very proud of." |
| What have the British troops achieved over the past six years? Have you served in Iraq? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: | What have the British troops achieved over the past six years? Have you served in Iraq? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |