National Sovereignty Day - Iraq

Al-Maliki declared a public holiday and proclaimed June 30 as "National Sovereignty Day."

Iraqi security forces celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009. U.S. troops will be out of Iraqi cities by tomorrow Tuesday June 30 in the first step toward winding down the American war effort by the end of 2011.

Iraqi soldiers march as they take part in a parade during the transfer ceremony of Baghdad's old defence ministry building June 29, 2009. U.S. troops pulled out of Baghdad on Monday, triggering jubilation among Iraqis hopeful that foreign military occupation is ending six years after the invasion to depose Saddam Hussein.