Britain enters new era as it leaves the European Union

London: Britain ended nearly 50 years of integration with Europe, making a historic exit from the EU after years of bitter arguments to chart its own uncertain path. PM Boris Johnson said the country had "taken back control."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised a "new era of friendly cooperation" with the EU, in an address released an hour before the UK left the now 27-member bloc, as thousands of Brexit supporters gathered to celebrate across the country.

Johnson said there may be "bumps in the road" ahead but vowed that the departure was an opportunity for "stunning success."

He also said Brexit as a chance for a new start and emphasized the country's ability to succeed now it had "taken back control."

"The most important thing to say tonight is that this is not an end but a beginning. This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act in our great national drama," said Johnson in a pre-recorded speech posted on his Facebook page at 22:00 GMT