BRITISH forces’ withdrawal from Iraq began last night when the UK’s top commander and his headquarters staff flew out of the country.

Major General Andy Salmon earlier handed military command of the southern province of Basra to the US Army in a ceremony that marked the beginning of the end of Britain’s controversial involvement in the Middle Eastern state.

Senior British, American and Iraqi generals attended the event, which celebrated UK troops’ “enormous success” but reflected with sadness on the loss of life involved.

Since the 2003 US-led invasion, 179 British personnel have died in Iraq and many more have been injured.

An RAF Hercules, carrying Maj Gen Salmon and his small command team, took off from Basra International Airport at about 4.30pm UK time.

There are still 4,100 British troops in Iraq, but they will stop combat operations on May 31, and all but about 400 of them will gradually be withdrawn by July 31.

Maj Gen Salmon acknowledged there had been “ups and downs” for UK forces in Iraq, but insisted it was “a successful conclusion to a long campaign.

“I can put my hand on my heart and say we’ve finished this right,” he said.

The handover ceremony opened with a piper leading the dignitaries to their seats.

Senior US commander, General Ray Odierno, said the handover was a “testament to the enormous success of the UK forces”.