[link|http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Iraq.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin|NY Times:] 

Iraqi soldiers hoisted the nation's flag over the Basra palace compound Monday after British troops withdrew from their last garrison in the city, a move that will hand control to an Iraqi force riddled with Shiite militiamen.

A British statement said the operation began at 10 p.m. Sunday ''with all British troops arriving at the airport by midday'' Monday.