More than two-thirds of the British public think UK troops are losing the war in Iraq, and more than half believe the war is already lost.

A total of 42 percent of those questioned also said UK forces should be withdrawn as soon as possible, and 33 per cent said their presence in the country was making the security situation worse, according to new poll conducted for the BBC.

The finding come as the remaining 550 British troops completed their withdrawal from Basra palace, their last base in the city, to join the other 5,000 UK troops at their airport garrison.

On Monday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown insisted that the withdrawal was not a defeat. He said it was "pre-planned and organized" and that UK forces would take an "overwatch" role.

But the poll, conducted for BBC Two's Newsnight program, indicated that 52 per cent believed victory is impossible. Only 12 per cent thought that UK troops were winning.

While 42 per cent said there should be an immediate withdrawal of all British forces, a further 22 per cent said some should be pulled before the end of the year and the remaining troops in 2008.

On the issue of security, 20 per cent thought UK soldiers were making the situation better, 33 per cent said they were making it worse and 37 per cent believed they made no difference.