British hand over Basra to Iraqi control

New Delhi: British forces formally handed over responsibility on Sunday for Basra in Iraq under their control, marking the start of what Britain hopes will be a transition to a mission aimed at aiding the economy.

Now Iraqi civil and security forces will be solely responsible for all day-to-day affairs.

The handover completes the phased withdrawal of British troops that began in September.

Basra is Iraq's sole port and home to the bulk of its oil reserves. The area is Shia dominated but torn apart by fighting between Shia militias, some of which are backed by Iran.

Extremist Islamic groups and criminal gangs complete the picture.

''I came to rid Basra of its enemies and I now formally hand Basra back to its friends,'' the commander of British forces in Basra, Major General Graham Binns, said shortly before he added his signature to papers relinquishing responsibility for the region in Iraq's far south.

''We will continue to help train Basra security forces. But we are guests in your country, and we will act accordingly.''

Mowafaq al-Rubaie, Iraq's national security adviser, said his government was ready and called on Basra's citizens to work together.

(With AP inputs)