IRAQ-UN-US-MILITARY-MALIKI

An Iraqi soldier stands guard outside the former palace of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein in the Green Zone in Baghdad during a handover ceremony on January 1, 2008. The United States handed over today security control of the Green Zone, symbol of the American-led occupation, to Iraq as a UN mandate for foreign troops ran out and bilateral military accords took effect. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD AL-RUBAYE