Maliki Declares Victory

I would correct Maliki, its a victory for all of us, but considering the sacrfice of Iraqis the man is allowed some crowing.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's leader declared victory Saturday as the country began to end a foreign occupation with the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from cities, and told Iraqis not to lose faith if the pullback resulted in attacks.

As part of a security pact signed between Baghdad and Washington last year, U.S. combat forces must leave urban centers by June 30 and the entire force that invaded Iraq in 2003 must be gone by 2012."It is a great victory for Iraqis that we are taking the first step toward ending the foreign presence in Iraq," Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told a conference of leaders from the ethnic Turkmen community.

"I, and you, are sure that many don't want us to succeed and celebrate this victory. They are getting themselves ready to move in the dark to destabilize the situation, but we will be ready for them, God willing

Of course we are still going to have a significant presence for some time in that country.
Update:

"Don't lose heart if a breach of security occurs here or there," Maliki said, reiterating a warning that insurgents were likely to try to take advantage of the U.S. pullback to launch more attacks. Analysts warn there may also be a spike in violence ahead of parliamentary elections next January.-Maliki from the speech.

There is a report of a suicide bomb attack in Kirkuk. Murderers.