The Latest: History arrives: UK leaves EU after 47 years

LONDON — The Latest on Britain’s departure Friday night from the European Union: 11:15 p.m. Britain has left the European Union after 47 years of membership, taking a leap into the unknown in a historic blow to the bloc. ___ 10 p.m. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Brexit is a chance to make Britain a better place, “whatever the bumps in the road ahead.” In a pre-recorded address broadcast on social media an hour before Britain’s historic exit from the European Union on Friday night, Johnson said his government would use the powers it was reclaiming from Brussels to make Britain a more equal and dynamic place. They vowed “to work towards a deep, comprehensive and balanced future relationship with the UK that ensures a level playing field.” ___ 3:40 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says negotiations on Britain’s future relationship with the European Union won’t be easy and is vowing to help make the EU successful after Brexit. Merkel said in a video message released by her office that Britain’s departure from the EU at 11:00 p.m. Friday “is a deep break for us all, the 27 European Union member states and for Germany.” She stressed that “Germany wants to remain a close partner and friend of Britain, because we are united by common values.” Once Brexit takes effect, Britain enters a transition period in which it will negotiate the terms of a new relationship with the EU and its 27 remaining members. The head of Gibraltar’s government says the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union “will forever live in history as a very sad day.” Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabien Picardo said the speck of British territory on Spain’s southern tip is departing the EU on Friday night “with a heavy heart, with sadness.” In the U.K.’s 2016 Brexit referendum, 96% of voters in Gibraltar supported remaining in the EU.