GORDON Brown has insisted that the withdrawal of British troops from the city of Basra is not a sign of defeat.

Instead, it is a pre-planned phase of the ultimate objective to hand power back to the Iraqi security forces.

We trust that really is the case because it has been our long-held view that it would be morally wrong for us to cut and run before everything possible has been done to complete the task of stabilising Iraq.

The truth, of course, is that task was grossly underestimated in the rush to remove Saddam Hussein and the style of the withdrawal - quietly, under cover of darkness - was hardly the triumphant parade which would have been envisaged at the outset.

That is not to belittle the efforts of our troops who have performed heroically but to question the planning which went into the exit strategy.

It is our sincere wish to see British troops returning home as soon as possible and we hope the handover of Basra Palace to Iraqi control proves to be a hugely significant step towards that goal.

But it is impossible to be confident that a backward step will not be needed and, with rival Shia factions poised to vie for control, we could easily see a return of British soldiers to Basra city.

In the meantime, we must continue to provide support and training to the Iraqi security forces and be ready to step in again as soon as the need arises.

The job is far from over.