Iraqis celebrate "National Sovereignty Day" after US forces withdraw

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US combat forces completed a formal withdrawal from Iraq's main cities on Tuesday in the first stage of a US-Iraqi security pact.

Iraqis celebrate in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 30, 2009.(AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

Iraqis celebrated by designating the 30th of June as "National Sovereignty Day", declaring this a public holiday. But the festive atmosphere was marred by violence.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other officials attended a military parade in Baghdad on Tuesday. The occasion marked Iraq's first day of sovereignty.

Patriotic songs could be heard from speakers throughout the city as police sirens also rang out.

Celebrations included an overnight display of fireworks as well as a party attended by thousands of people in a Baghdad park.

Baghdad Resident, said, "I hope that the American troops will leave the whole country. We want to live in peace and security. We are fed up with explosions and displacement. We want to live in prosperity."

Iraqi forces have taken formal control of Baghdad and other cities after American troops handed over security in urban areas.