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Iraqis Celebrate 'Sovereignty Day' as US Pulls Back

Maliki declares June 30 'National Sovereignty Day'

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 29, 2009 4:31 PM CDT

(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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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Snarfeh
Jun 30, 2009 5:58 AM CDT
I just read at Yahoo they've been shooting fireworks. Damn....just four more days and they would have been celebrating the 4th of July as their Independence from the US Invasion Holiday.....
Fondue
Jun 30, 2009 2:10 AM CDT
We can symbolically do that by moving as quickly as possible away from fossil fuels.
doingtherightthing
Jun 29, 2009 10:58 AM CDT
You'll never appease the Arab's no matter how hard you try. I hope the last soldier leaving Iraq stands at the back of the plane, takes a whizz on there soil........

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