IRAQI troops rescued a British journalist for CBS News in the southern city of Basra yesterday, two months after he was kidnapped, the Iraqi military said.

British journalist Richard Butler kidnapped two months ago in Basra has been rescued, Iraqi forces said today.

Iraqi soldiers hoisted the nation’s flag over the Basra palace compound today after British troops withdrew from their last garrison in the city.

Iraqi soldiers manned the gates of a central Basra base today after the bulk of British tanks and troops pulled out overnight.