Australia Leaves Iraq  

While I'm not totally enthused by the new Rudd government so far, they have done a few good things - and Australian combat troops leaving Iraq is one of them. Meanwhile Iraqi PM Maliki is facing growing opposition over the continuing presence of US troops in the country, with the UN figleaf covering them expiring at the end of the year.

FOR Australian combat troops the war in Iraq is over. The Defence Force in southern Iraq formally handed its commitment to the United States and lowered the Australian flag above Camp Terendak, at the US-run air base Tallil, at a ceremony yesterday morning.

The handover, which fulfils the Rudd Government's election commitment to withdraw Australia's combat troops from a deeply divisive war, was based on an agreement between Australian and US commanders. About 550 soldiers, who have been overseeing Iraqi security forces in two southern provinces as well as training Iraqi troops and police, will begin returning to Australia.

The Government confirmed last night that the handover had occurred. AAP reported that troops from the Overwatch Battle Group had already left Iraq and landed in Brisbane yesterday.

Almost 14,000 Australian soldiers have served in Iraq in the past five years. The commitment has cost about $2.3 billion. The handover will come as a welcome circuit-breaker for Mr Rudd, who has spent a week fending off damaging leaks over the Government's efforts to rein in rising fuel prices.