The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq has handed over power to an interim Iraqi government earlier than scheduled, officially ending the 15-month occupation that began with the ousting of Saddam Hussein. The interim government took an oath on Monday in a ceremony in Baghdad. The transfer of power was originally set for July 1, but was apparently moved up in an effort to thwart insurgent attacks aimed at preventing it. Previously, Paul Bremer, the American administrator in Iraq, unexpectedly handed over the legal documents for the official transfer of sovereignty. Prime Minister Iyad Allawi declared the event a historic day for Iraq and stated that he wanted the power transfer to be expedited because Iraqis need to take control of their destiny as soon as possible. Mr. Bremer left Iraq just hours after the power handover ceremony.
Transfer of Power to Iraq's Interim Government - 2004-06-28
The U.S. transferred power to an interim Iraqi government ahead of schedule, marking the end of the occupation that began with Saddam Hussein's removal. Prime Minister Iyad Allawi hailed the day as historic, emphasizing the need for Iraqis to control their own future. This event is significant as it reflects a critical shift in governance in Iraq post-Saddam.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The U.S.-led coalition transferred power to an interim Iraqi government earlier than planned, officially ending the occupation that began with Saddam Hussein's ousting. This handover was marked by a ceremony in Baghdad where the interim government took an oath of office.
- The transfer of power was originally scheduled for July 1 but was moved up to prevent insurgent attacks.
- Paul Bremer handed over the legal documents for the transfer just hours before leaving Iraq.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to the removal of Saddam Hussein, resulting in a 15-month occupation aimed at establishing a democratic government. The transition to an interim government was seen as a crucial step in this process.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%