British troops have begun transferring control of Basra province to the Iraqi authorities four-and-a-half years after the invasion.
British troops have transferred control of Basra province to the Iraqi authorities four-and-a-half years after the invasion.
The handover ceremony marks a significant milestone towards Britain's final withdrawal from southern Iraq.
The handover marks a significant milestone towards Britain's final withdrawal from southern Iraq.
Maj Gen Graham Binns, who led British troops into the city in 2003, said it had "begun to regain its strength".
Maj Gen Graham Binns, who led British troops into the city in 2003, said it had "begun to regain its strength".
Iraq's National Security Adviser, Dr Mowaffak al-Rubaie, said the "historic" day marked a "victory for Iraq".
Iraq's National Security Adviser, Dr Mowaffak al-Rubaie, said the "historic" day marked a "victory for Iraq".
Dr al-Rubaie thanked British troops for their role in protecting the city from insurgents, retraining Iraqi soldiers and rebuilding the economy.
Dr al-Rubaie thanked British troops for their role in protecting the city from insurgents, retraining Iraqi soldiers and rebuilding the economy.
Speaking at a ceremony attended by Foreign Secretary David Miliband, he also praised the "sacrifices" made by the people of Basra.
Speaking at a ceremony attended by Foreign Secretary David Miliband, he also praised the "sacrifices" made by the people of Basra.
"This means a victory for Iraq and a defeat for its enemies," Dr al-Rubaie said.
"This means a victory for Iraq and a defeat for its enemies," Dr al-Rubaie said.
Backseat role
Iraqi troops will now be responsible for controlling insurgents in the area, with British troops in a backseat role.
Iraqi troops will now be responsible for controlling insurgents in the area, with British troops in a backseat role.
Police concerns
Maj Gen Binns said Iraqi security forces had proved they were ready to take over, but the recent reduction in violence must "continue and improve" if Basra was to realise its "enormous potential".
British troops will only get involved in combat if they themselves are attacked or if Iraqi commanders call for support.
"I came to rid Basra of its enemies and I now formally hand Basra back to its friends," he added.
British troops will now play a backseat role and only get involved in combat if they themselves are attacked or if Iraqi commanders call for support.
The 4,500 British troops still in Iraq will now focus on training Iraqi forces. UK troop numbers are set to be reduced to 2,500 from the spring.
The 4,500 British troops still in Iraq will now focus on training Iraqi forces. UK troop numbers are set to be reduced to 2,500 from the spring.
British troops left their Basra city base in September
British troops left their Basra city base in September
BBC correspondent Andrew North said despite question marks over Iraqi security forces, especially the police, British commanders believed it was best for Iraqi forces to take the lead.
BBC correspondent Andrew North said despite question marks over Iraqi security forces, especially the police, British commanders believed it was best for Iraqi forces to take the lead.
Col Bob Stewart, former British commander with UN forces in Bosnia, told BBC News 24 that Britain's only real achievement in Iraq had been to remove Saddam Hussein from power.
Col Bob Stewart, former British commander with UN forces in Bosnia, told BBC News 24 that Britain's only real achievement in Iraq had been to remove Saddam Hussein from power.
"We've got rid of Saddam, but we haven't given the Iraqis a great life," he said.
"We've got rid of Saddam, but we haven't given the Iraqis a great life," he said.
"If you were to actually grade it, one to 10, from the point of view of someone who lives in Basra... probably we would score it about three."
"If you were to actually grade it, one to 10, from the point of view of someone who lives in Basra... probably we would score it about three."
'Home quicker'
'Home quicker'
Basra is the ninth of Iraq's 18 provinces to resume responsibility for its own security and the fourth to be handed over by British forces after Muthanna, Maysan and Dhi Qar.
Basra is the ninth of Iraq's 18 provinces to resume responsibility for its own security and the fourth to be handed over by British forces after Muthanna, Maysan and Dhi Qar.
In a poll of 1,000 Basra residents for BBC Newsnight, more than 85% said they believed British troops have had a negative effect on the Iraqi province since 2003.
In a poll of 1,000 Basra residents for BBC Newsnight, more than 85% said they believed British troops have had a negative effect on the Iraqi province since 2003.
We have never pretended that we were going to hand over a state that resembled Surrey Maj Mike Shearer
We have never pretended that we were going to hand over a state that resembled Surrey Maj Mike Shearer
But two-thirds thought security would improve following the handover.
But two-thirds thought security would improve following the handover.
Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq in 2004, has campaigned against the presence of British troops there.
Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq in 2004, has campaigned against the presence of British troops there.
She told the BBC: "I'm not saying they've not achieved anything, I just don't think they should have gone in the first place.
She told the BBC: "I'm not saying they've not achieved anything, I just don't think they should have gone in the first place.
"We're proud of every one of them for what they have done, but I think they should have been home a lot quicker."
"We're proud of every one of them for what they have done, but I think they should have been home a lot quicker."
Maj Mike Shearer said: "We have never pretended that we were going to hand over a state that resembled Surrey.
Maj Mike Shearer said: "We have never pretended that we were going to hand over a state that resembled Surrey.
"We've always said that we would hand over the province when it was manageable for the Iraqi security forces, and it is just that."
"We've always said that we would hand over the province when it was manageable for the Iraqi security forces, and it is just that."
Three months ago, British troops pulled back from Basra city to their airport base where the handover ceremony took place.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who visited British troops in Iraq last weekend, said Iraq now had a democratic government and that violence was down 90% in recent months.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who visited British troops in Iraq last weekend, said Iraq now had a democratic government and that violence was down 90% in recent months.
Have you served with the armed forces in Basra? The BBC News website is interested in reading some of your experiences and memories of the region. You can send your comments using the form below:
Have you served with the armed forces in Basra? The BBC News website is interested in reading some of your experiences and memories of the region. You can send your comments using the form below:
