In Brussels, a quiet last nod for Brexit and a rainy 'au revoir'

British members of the chamber pose for a photograph during their last plenary session at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Brexit cleared its last formal hurdle in Brussels on Thursday, setting Britain's Jan. 31 exit from the European Union in stone, but it was an unceremonious moment and a party in the heart of the EU's capital to say "au revoir" was a rain-drenched washout.

The 27 EU member states that Britain will leave behind at midnight in Brussels on Friday approved the withdrawal agreement reached last October after more than three years of tortuous negotiations.