The U.S. In Iraq -- An End Of An Era

The Iraqi army, Iraqi National Police and U.S. soldiers watch the Iraqi national flag as it is raised above Joint Security Station Salamiyat, west of Baghdad, Jan. 1, 2009. The raising of the flag symbolizes the implementation of the new security agreement. The U.S. soldiers are with Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, “Gimlets,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Christopher Smith

U.S. Forces Under Iraq Mandate, Hand Over Green Zone -- Yahoo News/Reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – U.S. forces in Iraq came under an Iraqi mandate on Thursday, an event the country's leader said had finally restored Iraq's sovereignty nearly six years after the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

In one immediate change, U.S. forces handed over responsibility to Iraqi troops for the Green Zone, a fortified swathe of central Baghdad off limits to most Iraqis, who widely view it as a symbol of foreign military occupation.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki declared the day a national holiday in a ceremony at central Baghdad's Republican Palace. The lavish marble building looming over the banks of the Tigris -- the U.S. political headquarters in Iraq since 2003 -- was handed over to the Iraqi government at midnight.

"A year ago, anyone who thought this day would happen would have been seen as a dreamer. Now the dream has come true," Maliki said. "This is the day we have been waiting for ... Sovereignty has been restored."

Read more ....

More News On Iraq

Attacks Occur as Iraq Takes Control of Key Sites -- New York Times
U.S. hands control of Baghdad's Green Zone to Iraq -- L.A. Times
Iraqi flag hoisted over Baghdad green zone -- Times Online
Green Zone Handed Off With Little Fanfare -- Washington Post
US Turns Over Green Zone Security Responsibility to Iraq -- AFPS
A symbol of U.S. occupation passes to Baghdad -- San Francisco Chronicle
Iraq-US 'Partnership' is in 'Transition' -- Los Angeles Times
In Iraq, the Day After -- Washington Post
Suicide bomber kills 23 near Baghdad -- Yahoo News/AFP
Police: 11 die in Iraq suicide bombing -- Yahoo News/AP
Sovereign at Last -- The Times editorial
In Iraq, the Day After -- Washington Post