国际英语新闻：British PM says new chapter in relations with Iraq begins

LONDON, April 30 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Thursday announced the official end of the British combat operations in Iraq, and said a new chapter in relations between the two countries has begun.

    At a joint press conference with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki here on Thursday, Brown said Britain would "strengthen and deepen" the relationship between the two countries as the combat operations drew to a close. It will be a "long-term partnership of equals," he noted.

    There was now a clear message for companies worldwide, the PM said. "Iraq is open for business."

    He said Britain would begin negotiations with Iraq on investment promotion. The country is expected to conduct cooperation with Iraq in such sectors as oil, agriculture and education.

    Maliki said: "There are people in Iraq who want the government to fail but our army and armed forces are ready to face these challenges."

    Before the press conference, the two leaders held talks and signed a declaration of friendship and cooperation.

    Also on Thursday, a ceremony was held in Basra, Iraq to mark the official end of the six-year British military mission in Iraq and the formal transfer of authority to American troops. At the ceremony, the names of 234 British and foreign troops and civilians who lost their lives under British command in Iraq were announced, 175 of which were from Britain.

    By the end of May this year, 3,700 British troops will withdraw from Iraq and about 400 will continue to stay to help train Iraqi navy forces.