UK to hand control of last province to Iraq forces
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BASRA, Iraq  - Britain will transfer responsibility for security in Basra province to Iraqi forces on Sunday, effectively marking the end of nearly five years of British control of the southern part of Iraq.
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The United States formally handed over   control of Iraq's new military to Prime Minister Nuri   al-Maliki's government on Thursday just as rebels unleashed a   fresh wave of deadly bomb attacks on Iraqi security forces.
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The Iraqi government said on Thursday it was ready to take over security in southern Iraq once Britain withdraws 1,600 troops in the coming months, but insisted that British forces would still be needed for support.
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British troops in Iraq will be confined to a single base at Basra airport from next month when they hand over their last remaining base in the city to Iraqi forces.
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British troops moved from Basra on  Wednesday to take over an area near Baghdad in a move that  could set the stage for a U.S. attack on rebel-held Falluja.
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British forces gave up military control of the final region under their supervision after four and a half years.
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The United States was set on Thursday   to hand over formal command of Iraqi troops to Prime Minister   Nuri al-Maliki's government, a significant step toward the   withdrawal of some 150,000 U.S.-led foreign troops.
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Britain's weekend handover of Basra province will have a limited effect on security in Iraq's biggest oil region because rival Shiite warlords and local officials have been wielding the real power in the area.
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After four and a half inconclusive years of fighting, British forces are to pull out from their last base in the oil port of Basra and trust their Iraqi comrades to take their place.
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Iraq's army and police could be ready to take over security in all 18 provinces by the end of this year as the U.S. military moves toward a less prominent role in the country, U.S. officials said on Thursday.
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British troops will be moved to central Iraq in response to a US request, the defence secretary announces.
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Iraqi security forces are now capable of policing the entire south of their country without British help, senior defence and Foreign Office officials said yesterday
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Britain has agreed to send troops to dangerous areas near Baghdad. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said about 850 personnel would move north to allow United States troops to tackle insurgents elsewhere in Iraq
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Britain will withdraw nearly half its troops from Iraq by the end of the year if local forces can secure the southern part of the country, Prime Minister Tony Blair planned to announce Wednesday.Comment
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British forces are due to hand back control of security in Basra province to Iraq, four-and-a-half years after the invasion.
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The commander of British troops in southern Iraq has revealed Saturday details of how they would pull out of the city of Basra and leave the way clear for Iraqi units to take control.
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BAGHDAD -- Iraq is set to take control of its armed forces command today, a major step on its painful path toward independence and an essential move before international troops can eventually withdraw.