US transfers command in Iraq, highlights new civilian role (2nd Lead)

Sep 1, 2010, 15:02 GMT

Baghdad - The United States military in Iraq transferred command Wednesday, signalling the start of Washington's non-combat mission in the country, after more than seven years of war.

The US was 'ramping up our civilian and diplomatic efforts to strengthen Iraqi sovereignty,' US Vice President Biden told a crowd of US and Iraqi officials and soldiers at Camp Victory in Baghdad.

'Our goal is not just a physically secure Iraq but an economically prosperous and stable one as well,' he said.

US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates also attended the ceremony that followed a speech by US President Barack Obama in which he stated 'the American combat mission in Iraq has ended.'

US General Raymond Odierno handed over the command of the remaining 50,000 US troops in Iraq to his successor, General Lloyd Austin, who is to oversee training and counter-terrorism deployments.

The outgoing commander offered his reassurances that Iraqi troops could take over security operations in the country.

'They are ready for that task,' Odierno said. 'Justice has replaced chaos, accord has replaced strife and hope has replaced despair,' he said of country in which he has served in for five years.

Biden meanwhile said most of al-Qaeda's network in Iraq had been destroyed and that the country was safer than in the past.

Biden's sixth visit since 2009, has been aimed at expediting the formation of a new government in the country, nearly six months after elections.

Earlier Wednesday, he met with Shiite cleric Amar al-Hakim, who heads the third largest party in parliament, US officials in Baghdad said.

With that meeting, the vice president has now held talks with the heads of all major political grouping in Iraq during his trip, including Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his arch-rival former premier Iyad Allawi.

'Politics has broken out in Iraq,' Biden said in his speech, noting that politicians were in talks to form a new cabinet but urged them to move more quickly.

The March 7 election ended with no party gaining an absolute majority. Coalition talks have remained deadlocked amid partisan disputes and intense disagreements over who will head the next government.

According to officials, Gates is to discuss Washington's changing role in the country with al-Maliki and senior military officials.

The new mission, called 'New Dawn,' will be under the direction of the US State Department.

Speaking in the final hours of US combat operations, al-Maliki said the wind-down of foreign troops was a sign 'Iraq is sovereign, independent and takes its own decisions for the present and future.'