Brown Tells Iraq Troops Military Role Nearly Over

British military control in Iraq will end within two weeks, with local forces taking over in Basra province, Gordon Brown told troops as he made a surprise visit to the UK's sole remaining base in the country last night.

The prime minister heralded the decision to move to an oversight role as a sign that the southeast is moving into a new phase of reconstruction. It means the UK is on course to halve troop numbers by spring.

Despite his upbeat assessment, telling the forces that they had helped to build "peace and prosperity", others believe there is a long way to go before economic and social regeneration can take place.

The Commons defense committee said last month that while attacks on British forces had plummeted since their withdrawal from Basra city to the remaining base at Basra air station, attacks on Iraqi civilians remained high.

It also questioned the point of maintaining a garrison of 2,500 troops, as Britain plans to following further reductions next spring. It warned: "If there is still a role for UK forces in Iraq, those forces must be capable of doing more than just protecting themselves at Basra air station. If the reduction in numbers means they cannot do more than this, the entire UK presence in southeastern Iraq is open to question."

Speaking to troops at the air base, Brown said: "I have just talked to prime minister [Nouri al-] Maliki. "It is because of all the operations over the last few years, particularly in recent times, that the security situation has not only improved, but that he could tell me he is now recommending we move to provincial Iraqi control within two weeks, so the Iraqis can take far more responsibility for security." The Guardian understands the handover could come as early as Sunday.

But questions remain over the future control of US supply routes overseen by the British. While discussions have begun with American counterparts, arrangements have not been agreed. Des Browne, the defense secretary, said last year that British forces would oversee the supply lines for as long as the US needed.

The prime minister has argued that oversight would consist of two phases. The first will focus on training Iraqi forces, serving supply routes, policing the borders with Iran and remaining ready for reintervention if necessary. The second, from spring, will involve a "more limited" reintervention capacity and will emphasize training and monitoring.

Despite the fragile security situation, it is understood the British government hopes companies can be persuaded to invest in the area, allowing the province to rebuild its economy.

The prime minister quoted Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Montgomery as he praised troops for their courage and thanked them for helping to bring "peace and prosperity" to Iraq.