Iraq – Iraqis take control of cities (UPI)

Iraqis take control of cities (UPI)
BAGHDAD, June 30 (UPI) — Iraq achieves a milestone at midnight Tuesday when it takes over full responsibility for security within its cities, but it’s one dogged by a series of bombings that could be a precursor for a resurgence of violence by extremist gunmen and bombers.

Iraq violence may endure as US troops pullout: Gates (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Violence may continue in certain parts of Iraq in the coming months after US troops pull out of the country’s cities, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.

Companies Balk at Iraq Oil Auction Terms (Washington Post)
BAGHDAD, June 29 — Iraq’s first major attempt to woo foreign oil companies to help resurrect its ailing oil fields appeared doomed Tuesday, as most companies balked at the financial terms the government offered.

Military says 4 soldiers killed in Baghdad – Army News, news from Iraq, – Army Times (Army Times)
BAGHDAD Four U.S. soldiers were killed in combat on the eve of the withdrawal of American troops from Baghdad and other Iraq cities, the U.S. military said, as Iraqi forces on Tuesday assumed control for security in urban areas.

Bomb kills 25 in Iraq as U.S. troops leave (Reuters via Yahoo!Xtra News)
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – A car bomb in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk killed at least 25 people on Tuesday, just after U.S. troops handed over full control of Iraq's cities to the domestic security forces six years after the invasion.

Iraq violence may endure as US troops pull back — Gates (Manila Bulletin)
ON BOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT, June 30, 2009 (AFP) – Violence may continue in certain parts of Iraq in the coming months after US troops pull out of the country’s cities, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.

Events in Iraq since U.S-led invasion (Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News)
(Reuters) – U.S. combat troops prepared to leave the last of Iraq’s cities on Tuesday, a move hailed by Iraqi authorities as restoring sovereignty.

Iraq auction terms deter foreign oil companies (USA Today)
A BP-led group won a deal to develop Iraq’s biggest oilfield but had to slash its fee as Baghdad’s tough terms put off other investors in the country’s first major energy auction since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

Price Squabbles, Security Concerns Lead Oil Giants to Pass On Iraq Fields (Washington Post)
BAGHDAD, June 29 — Iraq’s effort to woo foreign energy companies to help resurrect its ailing oil fields fell flat Tuesday, as most companies balked at the financial terms offered by the government despite the lure of the country’s vast reserves.

Iraq celebrates day of national victory as US troops finally hand over its cities (Times Online)
Iraq celebrated a day of national victory to mark the withdrawal of US combat troops from its cities even as a bomb killed 27 people in Kirkuk in a reminder of the challenges facing the country s security forces now that they are in charge.

Iraq auction terms deter oil firms, BP wins prize (Reuters via Yahoo!Xtra News)
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – A BP-led group won a deal to develop Iraq's biggest oilfield but had to slash its fee as Baghdad's tough terms put off other investors in the country's first major energy auction since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

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