UK hands Basra over to Iraqis

Britain has handed over command of the main Iraqi army unit in Basra to homegrown forces.

The move is seen as paving the way for Britain to formally announce major cutbacks in troops.

In a statement, the British Army said: "The Iraqi Army division based in Basra has transferred from under coalition command, and is now - for the first time - taking its orders direct from an Iraqi headquarters in Baghdad.

"The transfer is a significant step towards Iraqi forces taking responsibility for security in the city."

Britain has not yet formally announced cutbacks to its force in Iraq, but Defence Secretary Des Browne has said he hopes to bring thousands of troops home by the end of this year.

Tony Blair said on Sunday that Britain would draw down its force in Iraq once Iraqis were responsible for security in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city.

British defence officials have spoken of drawing their force down from 7,100 to about 4,700 over the next six months.

Meanwhile, at least seven people were killed when a suicide bomber targeted mourners at a funeral in Iraq.

Around 15 people were injured in the blast in a funeral tent in northeastern Baghdad.

The bomber carried out his suicide attack in the mainly Shia area of Palestine Street.

It came after at least ten people were killed in two earlier blasts.

The first blast occurred near a fuel station in the district of Saidiya, killing five people and wounding 11.

The second took place at a vegetable market in Doura, in southern Baghdad, leaving five dead and 20 injured. An attempted bombing was also foiled in the area, police said.

The attacks were launched despite a major security crackdown by US forces.

More than 110,000 Iraqi and US security forces are taking part in Operation Imposing Law, aimed at curbing sectarian violence which has killed hundreds every week and driven tens of thousands from their homes.

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