The U.S. military has formally handed off security responsibilities for Baghdad's "Green Zone" — home to government facilities and foreign embassies — to Iraqi forces. The zone was demarcated and heavily guarded by U.S. forces following the 2003 invasion; Iraqi forces took up posts at all entry points following ceremonies on June 1. The handoff is another step in Washington's plan to withdraw all but 50,000 U.S. forces from Iraq by September.
