The handover will give Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki operational control of Iraq's fledgling air force and navy.
BAGHDAD: Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki took the first step towards recovering control of Iraq's own military, signing an accord with US officers at a ceremony on Thursday in the war-torn capital of Baghdad.
The handover will give Maliki operational control of Iraq's fledgling air force and navy, and begin the process of putting the army's 10 divisions under a newly-created joint headquarters, independent of US control.
"It's a great step and a great day in Iraqi history," Maliki said at the ceremony.
"The new Iraqi army is being built by the courage of its sons who will dedicate their lives to protect their citizenry, and today the new Iraqi army has been rebuilt on values other than sectarianism," he added.
Maliki signed the handover with coalition commander General George Casey, who will initially retain direct control of the rest of the Iraqi army while the 8th Iraqi Army Division will come under the prime minister's command.
The rest of the army will gradually move under direct Iraqi control at the rate of two divisions a month, said the coalition spokesman.
"It marks a milestone in the relentless journey of Iraqi forces," said Casey at the ceremony. "It's a study in courage, perseverance and commitment to the values of Iraq.
"We will continue to fight with you to protect the Iraqi people wherever they are threatened."
Maliki also delivered a stern message at the ceremony to insurgents who regularly attack Iraq's military forces. "There is nothing for you but prison and punishment," he said.
On the day of the ceremony, at least 29 people were killed in insurgent attacks, largely by a string of explosions around the country.
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