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Power handover in Iraqi province Power handover in Iraqi province
(40 minutes later)
UK and Italian forces in southern Iraq have handed over security control of the province of Dhi Qar. UK and Italian forces in southern Iraq have handed over control of the province of Dhi Qar to Iraqi forces.
It is the second of 18 provinces to be handed over, after a similar move in neighbouring Muthanna in July. At a ceremony in the provincial capital, Nasiriya, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki described the handover as a "great day".
It is the second of 18 provinces to be handed over, following neighbouring Muthanna in July.
Dhi Qar is one of the country's less troubled provinces, and has been in the British area of control since 2003.Dhi Qar is one of the country's less troubled provinces, and has been in the British area of control since 2003.
But the handover is not the signal for a reduction in the overall coalition troop levels in Iraq, which remain high as the civilian death toll climbs. But the handover is not being seen as a signal for a reduction in the overall coalition troop levels in Iraq, which remain high as the civilian death toll climbs.
Although Dhi Qar has been in the British zone, some 1,800 Italian troops have been doing a lot of the security work there, including training thousands of Iraqi police and army forces. Civilian deaths in Iraq are reaching unprecedented levels, with more than 6,500 people killed in July and August alone, the UN has said.
The handover means the Italians will be free to return home next month. Emergency plans
Backup plan The official handover took place to the sound of trumpet and drum, the BBC's Ian Pannell in Nasiriya reports.
Although the Iraqis will be taking over security responsibility for Dhi Qar province, British troops will retain what they are calling "operational over-watch". "Muthanna was first, now comes Dhi Qar to crown this victory, and other provinces will come to crown further victories until we reach our goal," Mr Maliki said.
There will not be any reduction in British troop levels, currently running at just over 7,000. Maj Gen Richard Skiff, the commander of British forces in southern Iraq, echoed the prime minister's words.
"The provincial government of Dhi Qar has demonstrated that it is ready and capable of taking on responsibility for its security and government," he said.
Although the Iraqis will be taking over security responsibility for Dhi Qar province, British troops will retain what they are calling "operational over-watch" and coalition troops will be on hand to deal with any security emergency.
Italians leaving
Some 1,800 Italian troops have been responsible for much of the security work in Dhi Qar, including training thousands of Iraqi police and army forces.
Dhi Qar province has been patrolled mostly by Italian troopsThose Italian troops are expected to return home within eight weeks, a UK military spokesman said.
There will not be any reduction in overall British troop levels, currently running at just over 7,000.
They are still fully engaged in the more troubled regional capital, Basra, where the situation has been worsening in recent months.They are still fully engaged in the more troubled regional capital, Basra, where the situation has been worsening in recent months.
There is no indication when some of Iraq's other provinces may follow suit and be handed over.There is no indication when some of Iraq's other provinces may follow suit and be handed over.
Iraqi civilian deaths are reaching unprecedented levels - the UN says more than 6,500 were killed in July and August alone.
US military commanders have said they expect to have to keep their own troops at their current high levels of over a 140,000 through next spring, far longer than they had hoped.US military commanders have said they expect to have to keep their own troops at their current high levels of over a 140,000 through next spring, far longer than they had hoped.