(Alliance News) - EU lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved legislation allowing Britain to leave the EU this week, removing the final major hurdle before Brexit can happen.
The European Parliament voted in favour of the Brexit withdrawal agreement by 621 votes to 49 against. A simple majority was required in the 751-seat legislature.
EUÂ member states must now give their final approval to the deal in a written procedure that should be a formality.
Britain is due to leave the EU at midnight on Friday, three-and-a-half years after Britons narrowly voted in favour of leaving the EU in a 2016 referendum. Little will change in practice for the duration of an 11-month transitional phase.
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