SOLDIERS from the Warminster-based Black Watch have left southern Iraq and are heading to an area of the country nicknamed the triangle of death.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed the move earlier this week.

US Army chiefs requested the troops to replace US soldiers who are entering Fallujah to battle insurgents, including those who killed British hostage Ken Bigley.

Before the troops left, Black Watch Commander Lt Col James Cowan praised his soldiers' courage.

"Frankly, this regiment beat Napoleon, beat the Kaiser and beat Hitler," he said.

"For the jocks of the Black Watch this is just the latest chapter in our history and another job to be done."

Troops left their base in Basra for an area south of Baghdad and will patrol Shi'ite controlled hotspots, including a town dubbed the roadside bomb capital of Iraq.

At home, the Government has faced fierce criticism in the House of Commons about the decision. MPs have slammed the Prime Minister Tony Blair, claiming the move is politically motivated, in light of next week's US election.

West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison said: "I'm concerned that we may have been doing this for the wrong reasons. It is very difficult to understand the motives behind this."

Tony Blair has said the decision is motivated by the Iraqi elections not those in the US and reiterated his promise that the troops will be home by Christmas.