">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iraqis rejoice as U.S. troops leave Baghdad
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Iraqis rejoice as U.S. troops leave Baghdad
Reuters - Tuesday, June 30
By Tim Cocks and Muhanad Mohammed BAGHDAD - U.S. troops pulled out of Baghdad Monday, triggering jubilation among Iraqis hopeful that foreign military occupation is ending six years after the invasion to depose Saddam Hussein.
ADVERTISEMENT
Iraqi soldiers paraded through the streets in their American-made vehicles draped with Iraqi flags and flowers, chanting, dancing and calling the pullout a "victory."
One drove a motorcycle with party streamers on it; another, a Humvee with a garland of plastic roses on the grill.
U.S. combat troops must pull out of Iraq's urban centres by midnight Tuesday under a bilateral security pact that also requires all troops to leave the country by 2012.
All had left the capital by Monday afternoon, Major-General in Staff, Abboud Qanbar, head of Iraqi security forces in Baghdad, told Reuters.
Another Iraqi official who would not be named said some units in cities outside Baghdad would leave at the last minute. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said 30 bases remained to be handed over. There are still some 130,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.
Addressing military leaders in Baghdad, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said: "Our sovereignty has started and ... we should move forward to build a modern state and enjoy security which has been achieved."
Many Iraqis were elated even though they feared militants might use the withdrawal as an opportunity to step up attacks.
"The American forces' withdrawal is something awaited by every Iraqi: male, female, young and old. I consider June 30 to be like a wedding," said Ahmed Hameed, 38, near an ice cream bar in Baghdad's upmarket Karrada district.
"This is proof Iraqis are capable of controlling security inside Iraq," added the recent returnee from exile in Egypt.
The government has declared June 30 a national holiday, "National Sovereignty Day."
"BIG JOY"
A spate of bombings in recent days, including two of the deadliest for more than a year that killed 150 people between them, have raised fears militants will try to step up the pace of attacks.
Yet few Iraqis see that as reason for the Americans to stay.
"It is a big joy to see them leaving," said Abu Hassan, 60, a shop owner. "There might be some more attacks because of struggles between the different parties, but Iraqis are controlling security now. It's up to our forces now."
At a ceremony outside central Baghdad's old defence ministry building, the last Baghdad location to be handed over by U.S. forces, a military band played while soldiers and army college students paraded through a square festooned with Iraqi flags.
"Baghdad is safe, Iraq is safe. We are moving to sovereignty in secure steps," Qanbar said at the ceremony, which unusually was not cordoned off, despite the presence of the commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, Major-General Daniel Bolger.
U.S. troops will remain at two giant bases near Baghdad airport that are defined as non-urban, in case the Iraqis need to draw on their firepower.
"They'll ask us for help whenever they need something but they've got a lot of capability. This is their country. It only makes sense they should secure their own cities," Bolger said.
Ultimately, Iraq's future depends not on U.S. firepower but on efforts to reconcile fractious ethnic and sectarian groups.
In an interview with Reuters Monday, the new U.S. ambassador to Iraq Chris Hill said the U.S. did not seek a long term military presence in Iraq, contrary to the fears of some Iraqi political groups, only a long term diplomatic presence.
"But at the end of the day the Iraqis are going to have to work out the political problems themselves," he said.
More than six years of U.S. occupation and the orgy of sectarian violence it unleashed have left most Iraqis feeling at best ambivalent about U.S. forces.
Many complain their lives have improved little since then, with daily struggles caused by power cuts and water shortages.
"They did a good job getting rid of that tyrant, Saddam, and we thank them for that, but it's really time for them to leave," said Talib Rasheed, 70, sitting outside in one of Baghdad's leafier suburbs. "Maybe they could leave us some electricity?"
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Crashed Yemeni plane had 153 on boardReuters - 2 hours 23 minutes ago
Yemen passenger jet 'disappears near Comoros'AFP - 2 hours 50 minutes ago
Oxfam calls on G8 to increase aid to poor farmersReuters - Tuesday, June 30
German court to rule on EU Lisbon TreatyAFP - Tuesday, June 30
13 dead, 50 injured in Italy as rail gas tanks explodeAFP - 1 hour 44 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Chubby people live longest: Japan study
Questions mount over Jackson animal kingdom
Jackson feared dying like Elvis: Lisa Marie Presley
Opium-eating wallabies get high, make crop circles
'Evil' swindler Madoff jailed for 150 years
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Tuesday, 30 June 2009 Israel land expropriation plan angers Palestinians
Porsche, VW battle escalates
US-TECH Summary
Iran police out in force as election result upheld
Swine flu fears hit Wimbledon as toll hits 70,000
Anglo American seeks to sell Brazilian assets
Abu Dhabi to host renewables agency
Apple says CEO Steve Jobs back at work
Car bomb kills 10 in northern Iraq
Iraqis rejoice as U.S. troops leave Baghdad
| International
|
Iran can monitor calls with our technology: Nokia Siemens
Iran confirms Ahmadinejad poll victory
YouTube offers reporting tips from top journalists
Argentine leader faces new political landscape
| International
|
SKorean intelligence agency runs 'spot the spy' game
Hi-tech 'Trojan horse' can kill cancer cells: researchers
Afghan police chief killed in Kandahar: officials
Lebanon's Hariri begins tough job to form gov't
Cat-and-mouse at Wikipedia over NYTimes kidnapping
Doctors to say soon whether Nazi guard fit for trial
| International
|
Child pornography hidden in Swiss hip-hop website
Turkey's speaker favours trying 1980 coup leaders
U.N.'s Ban to visit Myanmar to urge democratic reform
| International
|
Europe to get standard mobile phone charger
EU Chamber asks China to reconsider Internet filter
Abu Dhabi to host renewables agency
Iran can monitor calls with our technology: Nokia Siemens
Xbox users in France to get Canal+ films, soccer
Baghdad parties ahead of US pullout
Apple CEO Steve Jobs returns to work
| Technology
|
Court rejects appeal from parents of autistic son
Clinton says Honduras has 'evolved into a coup'
Comcast rolls out wireless Web
| Technology
|
Mass man held in 6-year-old girl's attempted rape
3 dead, 63 hurt in central China train collision
Ruth Madoff says she feels 'betrayed and confused'
Facebook taps ex-Genentech CFO for finance chief
| Technology
|
Wall Street swindler Madoff jailed for 150 years
EU Chamber asks China to reconsider Internet filter
Court: State can apply some laws to national banks
Shanghai holds 9 linked with building collapse
Myanmar appeals court bars 2 witnesses for Suu Kyi
Beef Company Expands Beef Recall to 380,000 Pounds
World Bank study finds major Africa improvements
Child pornography hidden in Swiss hip-hop website
| Technology
|
Giuliani Mulling 2010 Run For NY Governor
Afghan official says 41 security guards in custody
New Jersey Firm Settles FTC Claims It Shorted Phone Calling Cards
Calif. to seek Iran investment info from insurers
Malaysia stops boats carrying Afghans, Pakistanis
Minnesota Firm Recalls Two Years' Worth of Milk Products
Australian charged in his HK taxi driver's death
Thousands attend funeral for Iowa football coach
3 dead, 60 hurt in central China train collision
Pentagon Test-Fires Intercontinental Ballistic Missile From California
Filipina avoids death sentence in Malaysia: Manila
Michael Jackson's Father Says He Suspects Foul Play
Autopsy Shows Heart Disease, Not Bumpy Flight Killed Billy Mays
Homemade bomb kills 2 in Philippines coffee shop
Madoff Sentenced To 150 Years In Jail For Massive Ponzi Scheme
Report: Some State Republicans Give Sanford 72 Hours To Resign
NASA Selects Nine New Astronauts
China central bank chief says economy on the mend
Jackson mother named children guardian: judge
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
TV pitchman Mays had heart disease, no trauma
| Entertainment
|
Too soon for Jackson funeral, father says
Jackson's mother files for guardianship for kids
S.Korea c.bank says to roll over part of dollar loan
Jackson mother gets children as legal battles begin
Malian scales new heights as Canadian lumberjack
French film firm convicted over 'Taxi' stunt death
Asia's one-woman anti-tobacco campaign still going strong
Hong Kong workers fume over smoking ban
911 caller: Pitchman Mays found cold, unresponsive
Iraq steps into precarious but sovereign unknown
| International
|
Fireworks over Baghdad as Iraqis take over cities
German court to rule on EU Lisbon Treaty
Facebook names new chief financial officer
Bodies recovered in Yemeni plane crash
| International
|
GM steps up talks on rival Opel deal: FT
Iran upholds Ahmadinejad victory, says matter closed
13 dead, 50 injured in Italy as rail gas tanks explode
Iran upholds Ahmadinejad victory, says matter closed
| International
|
Apple CEO Jobs back at work
'Evil' swindler Madoff jailed for 150 years
Iraqis rejoice as U.S. troops leave Baghdad
Russian troops mass in war games near Georgia
Google unveils SMS service for Africa
Honduras battles tide of support for ousted Zelaya
| International
|
Lawyers to seek genocide charge against Sudan's Bashir
Malaysia PM sets big reforms to boost investment
| International
|
Iran says partial recount shows election valid
Explosion in northern Italy kills one: state TV
| International
|
Israel intercepts Gaza aid boat: activists
| International
|
Google unveils SMS service for Africa
China braces for extreme weather: state media
Albania rivals neck-to-neck in parliamentary vote
| International
|
Quake jolts China's Sichuan, damaging houses
| International
|
Khmer Rouge survivor says had toenails ripped out
Quake jolts China's Sichuan
Yao's career threatened by lingering foot injury
Detainees from over 20 nations still at Guantanamo
Pakistan targets Taliban after rebels kill soldiers
Dad, son, co-worker killed in putrid NYC well
US Supreme Court delays decision on Uighur case
Dog-eaten passport cancels Wis. boy's trip to Peru
UN chief to urge release of Myanmar political detainees
8-year-old boy, 2 adult relatives drown in SC pool
Central Asian states to secure potential 'dirty bomb' waste
Sri Lanka group threatens to kill newspaper staff
Curfew imposed in Indian Kashmir after deaths: officials
SC gov scandal changes landscape for 2010 race
Thai ex-PM's fortunes boosted by electoral results
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 640
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,319
Woman on tracks to 'clear her mind' hit by train
Korea Hot Stocks-Ssangyong Motors falls as strike continues
S.Korea business sentiment best in over a year
S.Korea state bank's Q3 export indicator turns up
Iraq to open up oil fields to foreign firms
Indonesia's music underground finds political voice
S.Korea pension fund to raise stock holdings in 2010
Downturn is a diamond market's worst friend
Native American women's dream comes true in Prague
Japan govt to make rescue investment in Elpida
Bollywood leaves behind the birds and the bees
Japanese household spending edges up in May
Exclusive: Parker's first photo with newborn twins
RBNZ says inflation not an issue for now
Hip-hop stars looking for love on VH1 shows
Taiwan dollar firms as local stocks rise
Zsa Zsa Gabor out of hospital after 6-day stay
S.Korea T-bonds steady ahead of data
Jackson's mother wins temporary control of estate
| Entertainment
|
CORRECTED: Comic-Con boasts heavy TV lineup
No Clothes brings together comics, politicos
| Entertainment
|
Bon Jovi makes Stand with Iranian protest video
| Entertainment
|
Hip-hop stars looking for love on VH1 shows
| Entertainment
|
First $1 million find for U.S. Antiques Roadshow
| Entertainment
|
Comic-Con boasts heavy TV lineup
| Entertainment
|
Yemen Airbus crashes off Comoros with 153 aboard
U.N. monitors leave Georgia, OSCE mission shuts
| International
|
At least one killed, 8 wounded in Afghan border blast
| International
|
Pakistan militant faction scraps pact, vows attacks
| International
|
North Korea trying to enrich uranium, South says
| International
|
Human Rights Watch accuses Israel over Gaza drones
| International
|
Hawaii has 1st swine flu death, of ailing patient
US warns citizens to avoid travel to Honduras
Australians charged with Chinese student's murder
China backs away from Internet filter
| Technology
|
Sweden's Global Gaming snaps up Pirate Bay
| Technology
|
UN head must meet Suu Kyi on Myanmar visit: party
Dell developing pocket Web gadget: report
| Technology
|
Malaysia rescues smuggled baby orangutans: report
Two Koreas prepare for talks amid high tension
Armour-clad Bruno halts Sydney traffic
Moderate earthquake hits southwest China
Japan's Elpida secures lifeline with $1.7 billion aid
| Technology
|
Karzai: Afghan guards employed by US killed police
KIC set to make $1 bln alternative investment in H2
NZ cenbank unveils new bank liquidity requirements
China hikes fuel prices as crude costs rise
Elpida says Taiwan Memory seeks 10 pct stake
China develops ambitious oil acquisition strategy
Muslim mayor flies flag for gays in Dutch suburb
Indonesia premier hopefuls accused on environment
Most consumer goods in south China below standard
Tales for tourists in ex-Colombian druglord's zoo
U2 launch world tour in Barcelona on giant stage
| Entertainment
|
Japan's chip maker gets emergency government help
'No Clothes' brings together comics, politicos
First $1 million find for U.S. Antiques Roadshow
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights