Australia’s military is withdrawing its troops from Iraq. The decision is the fulfillment of an election promise made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, VOA reported.

The 550 Australian combat soldiers started leaving their base in Tallil, 300 kilometers south of Baghdad. They were deployed there to help the Iraqi security forces. Another 60 combat forces who worked throughout Iraq are also completing their deployments. Their military duties will be handed over to the American units.

A ceremony to mark Australia’s leave from the Iraq was held in southern Iraq. The conflict has been very unpopular in Australia. During the ceremony, the commanding officer of Australia's Overwatch Battle Group, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane, told his soldiers they completed their mission in Iraq with success.

"The work here is now done and it's time to return to your families and loved ones. You should be proud of your achievements. I am," he said.

Australia’s Minister of Defense, Joel Fitzgibbon, also attended the ceremony. He congratulated and thanked the troops for working tirelessly to ensure that the people in southern Iraq have “the best possible chance” to move on from their misery under the regime of Saddam Hussein. He added that the Australian troops contributed to the training of 33,000 Iraqi Army soldiers.

Some Australian military personnel will be left in Iraq. Their duty will be to provide protection to diplomats. An Australian navy vessel will also continue to patrol the Persian Gulf.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who won by a landslide in November mainly because of the promise that he would bring the soldiers home by the middle of 2008, has kept his promise.