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Populace of Basra keen to see British troops remove as of Iraq - Irish Era

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Populace of Basra keen to see British troops remove as of Iraq - Irish Era The law, approved by cabinet this week before being sent to parliament, covers troops from Britain, Romania, Estonia, Australia, El Salvador, Bulgaria, Denmark and Lithuania, as well as 200 soldiers from 15 Nato members. However, Britain had to go along with this plan to secure legal status and protection for its troops until they leave. Britain's treatment contrasts sharply with the Iraqi government's protracted negotiations with the US over a detailed status of forces agreement, extending the US military presence until 2012, signed by Mr Maliki and US president George W Bush last Sunday. British troops will begin their pull-out in March, continuing until the departure of combat units is completed at the end of July. Britain's base at Basra airport, now shared with 2,000 US troops who are embedded with Iraqi units in Basra, is due to be handed over to Iraqi control on January 1st. About 400 British naval personnel are set to remain in Basra to train the fledgling Iraqi navy, whose services are urgently needed to protect oil export facilities in Basra's ports, as well as offshore oil platforms. Since early 2008, control of the ports has been contested by rival Shia militias involved in oil smuggling. While Iraqi forces have been able to limit the activities of these militias, they remain powerful and active. Early relations between Iraqis and British forces in the south were much better than the relationship between the populace and US forces in the centre and north. But ties between Britons and Iraqis deteriorated after the Mahdi army militia loyal to dissident Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr was established in Basra. Under constant attack, British forces withdrew to their bases. For many months, British troops had little to do other than provide training for Iraqi units. Iraqi commanders and officials accused the British of handing Basra over to the Sadr supporters and other Shia fundamentalist elements that have expelled most Christians and Sunnis. Most citizens of Basra are eager to see the British depart.