A fresh new morning at 10, Downing Street
Until this morning, 10, Downing Street for me had always been one of those places where one would try and take a sneak peek inside the heavily barricaded area to get an idea of what goes in there.
This morning I attended a press conference addressed by British PM Gordon Brown and his Iraqi counterpart Nuri al-Maliki, after Britain decided to start winding its troops in Iraq, six years after the U.S led invasion of Iraq.
It was quite an experience to be led through a narrow pathway and innumerable doors into a hall where the leaders were to address us. I was sure that if I get lost inside, I would never be able to find my way out. Within minutes, everything was set and the two leaders came walking out of the hallway into the main conference hall.
PM Brown announced that today marked the end of British combat operations in Iraq. He said the two countries will be opening a new chapter in their relations.
“Today marks the closing chapter of the combat mission in Iraq,” he said. “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.”
“Today we are taking steps to strengthen and deepen our relationship and to make it a long-term partnership of equals,” he added.
At 1115 GMT, transfer of authority from Britain’s commander in Basra to his US counterpart was to take place in Basra. A memorial service was held for those 179 British Soldiers who were killed, while on duty in Iraq.
The two Prime Ministers seemed very happy to announce the “new chapter” in their relationship and signed a declaration of friendship and partnership with each other.
PM Brown urged investors from Britain to invest in various sectors of Iraq’s economy.
PM Maliki said Iraq has gone through several wars and is in urgent need for investment and economic growth. He said,
“Without economic progress we cannot keep the peace in Iraq,”
At the end of it, the two leaders, who took only a couple of questions from media, decided to leave the conference by saying that the two countries are proud of their historical ties and the legacy that Britain is leaving behind in these six years.