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Britain bows out of a five-year war it could never have won - Independent Online Edition > Middle East

Britain bows out of a five-year war it could never have won - Independent Online Edition > Middle East: "Britain handed over security in Basra province yesterday, bringing a formal end to its ill-starred attempt over almost five years to control southern Iraq.

The transfer of power was marked by a parade of thousands of Iraqi soldiers and police beside the Shatt al-Arab waterway, which runs past Basra. As helicopters roared overhead it was the biggest show of strength by the Iraqi army forces since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

The great majority of people in Basra were glad to see the British go. ' You can see the happiness on the faces of everyone,' said Adel Jassam, a teacher. 'It feels like a heavy burden has been lifted off our chests. '"

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