British and Iraqi PMs announce end of British combat operations in Iraq

The ending of combat operations in Iraq will be marked later today with a ceremony which will see the lowering of the flag of 20 Armoured Brigade in Basra, the current and last British brigade to serve on Operation TELIC.

Mr Brown, speaking at a press conference with Mr Maliki said today:

"The last six years have seen us work side by side on the ground to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqis; to provide jobs, security and basic services to the Iraqi people; and especially, in the case of Britain, to those in the Basra area. Until today this has meant an operational role and combat for British troops. It has meant helping the Iraqi Government to reconcile Sunni, Shia and Kurds in supporting them in establishing healthy and democratic political institutions. Today we are taking steps to strengthen and deepen our relationship and to make it a long-term partnership of equals.

"Today marks the closing chapter of the combat mission in Iraq; the flag of 20 Armoured Brigade will be lowered as British combat patrols in Basra come to an end and our Armed Forces prepare to draw down.

"Already today, the Defence Secretary has attended a moving memorial service to the 179 British personnel who have died serving the country in Iraq. They will always be remembered for the service they have given. Our country owes them a huge debt of gratitude. I am pleased to confirm that the memorial to them in Basra, which honours their memory, will be preserved forever at our own National Memorial Arboretum. I warmly welcome Prime Minister Maliki's offer to contribute to the costs of relocating this important monument."

See Related News >>> to read more about the memorial service.

Mr Maliki said:

"This partnership has delivered successful results... Now the military mission has finished, our two countries will pursue new partnerships in the areas of politics, economics, business and science. This will promote relationships with the countries who have stood by and backed Iraq to achieve success."

As well as meeting Mr Brown, Mr Maliki's visit to London includes attending a conference called 'Invest Iraq' which has been organised by the Department for International Development to help stimulate the further economic development of Iraq.

The Invest Iraq conference is a high profile event involving 200 of the world's largest companies. It is the culmination of UK efforts to promote investment in Iraq which have resulted in proposals worth up to $10bn. Improving trade and investment is a key to consolidating the security gains that have been made in Iraq.

Mr Brown continued:

"Today Iraq is a success story - we owe much of that to the efforts of British troops. They have been working closely with their Iraqi counterparts. Our mission has not always been an easy one. Many have said that we would fail, but when Prime Minister Maliki and I were able to look back today I was able to congratulate him on successful provincial elections in January in which there were over 14,000 candidates competing against each other in an election widely viewed as fair and free.

"Economic growth last year estimated at 10 per cent. Four million Iraqi children having received life-saving vaccinations since 2003. 3,000 schools refurbished. Iraqi Security Forces totaling 60,000 personnel now in place, and polls show that in Basra 65 per cent of people say their lives are going well. I pay tribute to your leadership of Iraq, Prime Minister Maliki, and I say that Britain too can be proud of our legacy that we leave there.

"Today the Prime Minister and I have signed a declaration of friendship, of partnership and co-operation between our two countries which sets out a new basis for the relations between Britain and Iraq. It is founded on our shared political, cultural, and economic interests; a secure, prosperous and democratic Iraq, able to exploit its own great economic potential and able to provide security for its people, working closely with its neighbours and the rest of the international community.

"To support this, Lord Mandelson and the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister signed, a short while ago, an agreement of economic and technical co-operation for the future and Mr Maliki will attend the 'Invest Iraq' conference here in London, in which 250 of the world's biggest companies will be participating.

"We will also open negotiations on an investment promotion and protection agreement, bring forward a review of export credit guarantees offered to UK exporters wishing to trade with Iraq, and this is a clear message to companies worldwide that Iraq is open for business.

"And I urge British companies who have already won contracts worth £600m in Iraq this year to continue to look for the business opportunities that are available in Iraq. The oil sector, remember that Iraq's reserves are the third largest in the world, is an area we will work on together, specifically through a new UK-Iraq steering group focusing on sharing expertise and skills.

"We will broaden and strengthen our relationship in the field of education and culture. We will bring Iraqi scholars to the United Kingdom. We will increase English language training in Iraq. We will begin a programme to develop the Iraqi higher education sector. Today also, the British Library and the British Museum will take steps to build their relationships with their Iraqi counterparts.

"Britain and Iraq have deep historical ties. The last six years have changed our relationship again. The history books will chronicle how our two countries' destinies were so closely intertwined, and today we open the next chapter in our relations - a chapter which I preface with my deep respect and appreciation for Iraq's achievements and my gratitude to Britain's Armed Forces who have made such a lasting contribution.

"They will stay in Iraq for a number more weeks, they will not leave Iraq finally until some weeks from now, but this is a chapter which will tell the story of Britain and Iraq for the future - equals, allies, business partners and always friends in the community of nations."