British troops on verge of long-awaited pullout from Basra

[cal04]

Britain's long-awaited and much-postponed pull-out from the Basra palace, its last remaining base in the Iraqi city, is imminent, sources have told the Guardian.

The move, which is symbolically significant and will improve the safety of British troops, is expected to take place within the next two weeks and may come within days, officials say. An announcement will be made by the Iraqis.

The decision to hand over the palace to Iraqi forces comes at a time of growing criticism by elements in the US military of Britain's role in southern Iraq. The criticism is dismissed by British military commanders.

"All indications are it shouldn't be far away," Major Mike Shearer, the army's spokesman in Basra, said when asked about the handover of the Basra palace. Privately, defence officials go further, saying a decision in principle has been taken and the 500 British troops based there are on the verge of leaving.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,2155361,00.html

[cliss]

1. Interesting.

We'll see how it goes.