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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Iraqis Celebrate 'Sovereignty Day' as US Pulls Back

Maliki declares June 30 'National Sovereignty Day'

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(AP) – Iraqi forces have assumed formal control of security in Baghdad and other cities after US combat troops withdrew from urban areas. A countdown clock broadcast on Iraqi TV ticked to zero as the midnight deadline passed for combat troops to pull back. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has declared a public holiday and proclaimed June 30 as "National Sovereignty Day."

"The withdrawal of American troops is completed now from all cities after everything they sacrificed for the sake of security," Sadiq Al-Rikabi, a senior adviser to Maliki said. "We are now celebrating the restoration of sovereignty." The move is required under a US-Iraqi security pact.

Iraqis celebrate in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009.
Iraqis celebrate in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
Iraqi security forces celebrate today in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, Iraq.
Iraqi security forces celebrate today in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, Iraq.   (AP Photo)
Iraqis celebrate in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009, to mark 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.
Iraqis celebrate in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009, to mark the milestone of U.S. troops leaving Iraqi cities, fireworks colored Baghdad's skyline and thousands of people attended a party in a city...   (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
Iraqis celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009.
Iraqis celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)
Iraqi security forces celebrate today in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, Iraq.
Iraqi security forces celebrate today in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, Iraq.   (AP Photo)
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10 comments
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mindgammon
Jun 29, 09 4:52 PM CDT
I really hope they keep it together....with all that BS happening in Iran Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
radnip
Jun 30, 09 3:37 AM CDT
Doubt it. They haven't in thousands of years, unless you count Saddam's Iraq, Iran, etc. That's their best.
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0
5580
Jun 29, 09 5:04 PM CDT
they will pull back, but not out. there will still be a presence of troops, no one will know for how long Reply
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SPH
Jun 29, 09 5:26 PM CDT
I suppose it's a lot to ask considering how screwy everything was executed but, a thank you for the American sacrifices would seem appropriate... Reply
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+5
IN RESPONSE:
mickey61988
Jun 29, 09 5:35 PM CDT
Appropriate but probably not forthcoming.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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