PHOTOS Iraq (June 29)

Caption: Iraqis celebrate the milestone of U.S. troops leaving Iraqi cities. Fireworks colored Baghdad's skyline and thousands of people attended a party in a city park late Monday where singers performed patriotic songs.

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US General Daniel Bolger, commander of US forces in Baghdad poses with General Abud Qambar, commander of Baghdad Operation Command, after handing him a symbolic key to the old Iraqi Defence Ministry, the last of the 86 positions occupied by the US military in Baghdad since the US-led invasion in 2003, on June 29, 2009. US combat troops will pull out from Iraq's cities and main towns June 30 as the war-torn country takes sole charge of security in a major stepping stone to a complete American withdrawal.


US troops are withdrawing to base in Iraq, six years after the invasion, handing control of cities and towns to Iraq's new security forces.

Tuesday has been declared National Sovereignty Day, a public holiday, and the capital Baghdad threw a giant party on Monday evening.

US-led combat operations are due to end by September 2010, with all troops gone from Iraq by the end of 2011.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8125547.stm


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/29/us-troops-to-withdraw-fro_n_222387.html

Happiness is ---- I hope they have a good future.

Thanks!

a little girl in #7. Sad.

Awesome :cry:

Iraq was better off under Saddam, and women in particular were far better off.

:toast:

Sonia

He simply had it backwards.

Wonder if they know that one?

I just hope that they are up to the task of policing themselves so we can get totally out. Good to see so many of them happy for a change.

That beautiful mind of Barbara Bush must be responsible for this. Go, and be lifted high by the crowds of happy Iraqis. They love you!

And get to enjoy the country's national resources as a people. They deserve it, poor Iraq.