Australia withdraws troops from Iraq

By Haider al-Nasrallah

NASSIRIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - About 500 Australian combat troops pulled out of their base in southern Iraq on Sunday, fulfilling an election promise by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to bring the soldiers home this year.

A spokesman for Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said in the Australian capital Canberra the withdrawal from Talil base in Nassiriya, 300 km (185 miles) southeast of Baghdad, was under way.

Australia, a staunch U.S. ally, was one of the first countries to commit troops to the Iraq invasion which toppled President Saddam Hussein.

It also deployed aircraft and warships to the Gulf to protect Iraq's offshore oil platforms.

Fitzgibbon said the withdrawal of the ground troops closed another chapter in Australian military history.

"Our soldiers have worked tirelessly to ensure that local people in southern Iraq have the best possible chance to move on from their suffering under Saddam's regime and, as a government we are extremely proud of their service," Fitzgibbon said.

Australian troops had won the respect of the Iraqi people, he said in a statement.

A spokesman for the governor of Dhi Qar province said the withdrawal had been completed, with U.S. forces replacing the Australians.