Iraqis take control of Baghdad's 'Green Zone

Iraqis take control of Baghdad's 'Green Zone'

 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.

An Iraqi honor guard parades outside the former palace of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad on Thursday.

An Iraqi honor guard parades outside the former palace of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad on Thursday.

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.

"This day is a great day in the history of the Iraqi people," Iraqi military spokesman Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta said.

Maj. Gen. David Perkins, a U.S. military spokesman, noted the significance of turning over the former Republican Palace.

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