Iraqis take control of Baghdad's 'Green Zone'

[Canuck_Buck]

Promising news.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The U.S. military formally handed authority over Baghdad's "Green Zone" to Iraqis on Thursday as new pacts governing the mission of international troops replaced a U.N. mandate.

Iraqi troops took over checkpoints around the heavily protected district, formally known as the International Zone, which houses Iraqi government offices and the U.S. Embassy.

Saddam Hussein's Republican Palace, which served as U.S. headquarters in Baghdad after the 2003 invasion that ousted Iraq's longtime strongman, was among the facilities handed over in Thursday's ceremony.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/01/iraq.green.zone/index.html

"The palace was handed back to the Iraqi people, significant as symbol of the head of the government and a sign for increased sovereignty," he said at a news conference with Atta.

[Champlain Islander]

I guess a step in the direction of with drawal but the sad fact remains that as soon as we leave for good...if ever...the bad guys will move right back in and take over again.

[falcon]

What a deal. Al Maliki and the Iraqi parliament can invite their Iranian buds right into the security area.