Iraq War News Updates -- June 29, 2009

U.S. soldiers and Iraqi police leave their base for their last joint patrol in Khan Bani Saad, Iraq, ahead of the American pullback. Agence France-Preese/Getty Images

Iraqis To Celebrate Withdrawal Of US Troops -- The Telegraph

Iraqis are prepared for a massive party in Baghdad to celebrate the withdrawal of US troops from cities, towns and villages on Tuesday.

Festivities to mark "a day of national sovereignty" will centre on Zawra Park, the biggest in the capital, with singers and poets kicking off proceedings before music groups take to the stage.

The US pull out, under a bilateral security accord signed last year, will be completed on Tuesday, which has been declared a national holiday. It will see the national army of the conflict-torn nation take sole charge of its security while US forces return to their bases in advance of a gradual withdrawal over the next two years.

Read more ....

More News On Iraq

EXCLUSIVE: Cheney fears Iraq withdrawal will 'waste' U.S. sacrifices -- Washington Times
Iraqis to mark US street exit with holiday -- The Guardian
Iraq celebrates U.S. troops pullout under tight security measures -- China View
Iraqi troops ready to secure major cities, top U.S. general says -- CNN
U.S. poised to let Iraqis take lead -- Washington Times
U.S. Commander Says Iraq Forces Ready -- New York Times
US forces set to leave Iraq cities -- Al Jazeera
1st Pullout Deadline Stirs Anxiety, Pride in Iraq -- Washington Post
Unease Mounts as U.S. Troops Leave Iraq's Cities -- Wall Street Journal
As U.S. troops move on, Iraqis fear the coming turmoil -- Yahoo News/McClatchy News
Insecure about Iraq -- Abu Muqawama
Iraq ups security ahead of U.S. pullout -- Washington Times
Ready or Not, Iraq’s Military Prepares to Stand on Its Own -- New York Times
Corruption plays key role in Iraqi justice -- L.A. Times
Oil giants scramble for Iraq's vast reserves in televised contract auction -- Daily Mail
Iraq oil: It's only a gameshow -- Times Online
Banking on security in Baghdad -- Reuters
Victory Day, or Mission Accomplished all over again? -- ABC News (Australia)
Is the job done? -- John P. Hannah, L.A. Times
Iraq is Back at the Forefront -- Michael Goodwin, New York Daily News
What Happens Next in Iraq? -- Trudy Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,318 -- Washington Post