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Last soldiers to leave Bessbrook Last troops pull out of Bessbrook
(about 1 hour later)
The British army is set to pull out of its base at Bessbrook in County Armagh for the last time. The British army has pulled out of its base at Bessbrook in County Armagh.
Troops will begin their final withdrawal from the village on Monday. The move is a step in Northern Ireland's "normalisation" programme, in response to the IRA's declared end to its activities.
The move is a step in the "normalisation" programme in Northern Ireland - part of the overall political process. Fewer than 20 members of the Second Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment vacated the complex at Bessbrook Mill.
UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy said paid tribute to the military for their "huge contribution to peace and the enormous sacrifices they endured". Colonel Wayne Harber said it was nostalgic. Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy said it was welcome in the community.
He said it was with mixed emotions that he acknowledged the departure of the Army.
He added: "Pride in what they had achieved in dealing effectively with the security situation over many difficult years, and sadness for the many sacrifices endured by the military and the high cost of the many lives lost in dealing with the terrorist onslaught over the past 38 years."
He said he hoped a lasting memorial would be established in the village "to recognise the service of the many thousands of military personnel who served in the area".
The withdrawal of the Army is part of the government's normalisation programme in response to the IRA's declared end to its activities.
Operation Banner, the name the Army gave to its support role for the police, will end completely in August after more than 30 years - the longest running operation in British army history.Operation Banner, the name the Army gave to its support role for the police, will end completely in August after more than 30 years - the longest running operation in British army history.
The last helicopter flight out of Bessbrook took place at the weekend.
Colonel Harber said they were pleased that the peace process was progressing.
"The Army doesn't deal in sentiment but there's a hint of nostalgia and thatthread of continuity and the significance that this is the longest militarycampaign in the army's history," he said.
Military numbers are being reduced in Northern Ireland
"It is the idea of continuity that we feel today but we are optimistic."
Conor Murphy said: "This is obviously welcome news for the community of South Armagh, whohave had to live under British military occupation for the past 30 years.
"Sinn Fein made the issue of demilitarising communities like South Armagh acentral part of the political negotiations. We are happy we have now arrived atthis point."
UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy paid tribute to the military for their "huge contribution to peace and the enormous sacrifices they endured".
He said he hoped a lasting memorial would be established in the village "to recognise the service of the many thousands of military personnel who served in the area".
The last soldier killed during the Troubles was based at Bessbrook.
Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was shot dead by a long-distance sniperwhile operating a security checkpoint in 1997. He was the last of 763 militarypersonnel to die in Northern Ireland.
By the summer there will be no more than 5,000 British soldiers in Northern Ireland, based in 11 locations.By the summer there will be no more than 5,000 British soldiers in Northern Ireland, based in 11 locations.
At the height of the Troubles there were almost 30,000, based in more than 100 locations.At the height of the Troubles there were almost 30,000, based in more than 100 locations.