This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/5323840.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US hands over Iraq army control US hands over Iraq army control
(about 1 hour later)
The US-led coalition in Iraq has formally handed control of the country's armed forces to Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. The US-led coalition has formally handed control of Iraq's armed forces to Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
He signed an accord with the US military at a delayed ceremony in the capital, Baghdad.
The first units to be transferred are Iraq's small navy and air force, and the 8th Army Division, based in Najaf.The first units to be transferred are Iraq's small navy and air force, and the 8th Army Division, based in Najaf.
But correspondents say it is unclear how fast the complete transfer of security control can be achieved. Other army divisions will be handed over in the coming months according to a timetable set by Iraq's leaders.
The handover ceremony is five days later than scheduled, although the delay has not been explained. US officials called it a milestone in Iraq's history, but the key test will be whether the Iraqi-led forces can control violence across the country.
A BBC correspondent in Baghdad says the transfer of control could be long, slow and fraught with problems.
The handover took place five days later than scheduled, although the delay has not been explained.
US-led forces disbanded what was left of the Iraqi army after they overthrew Saddam Hussein's rule in 2003.US-led forces disbanded what was left of the Iraqi army after they overthrew Saddam Hussein's rule in 2003.
Since then, the coalition has been training and equipping new Iraqi forces with a view to their taking over security and allowing the eventual withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.Since then, the coalition has been training and equipping new Iraqi forces with a view to their taking over security and allowing the eventual withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.
In the latest violence, a suicide car bomber killed 10 people at a police control centre in Baghdad.
Seven others died in bombings and shootings elsewhere in the Iraqi capital, mainly targeting police and security patrols.