Yahoo! News - Iraq Formally Returned to Self-Rule Two Days Early
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United States transferred sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government on Monday, formally ending the controversial 14-month occupation two days earlier than expected.

In a surprise ceremony that was finished before it was announced and before ordinary Iraqis were aware of it, Iraq's outgoing U.S. governor Paul Bremer handed a letter to Iraqi officials sealing the transfer of powers.

Although the interim government led by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi will have "full sovereignty," according to a U.N. Security Council resolution on the handover earlier this month, there are important constraints on its powers.

It is barred from making long-term policy decisions and will not have control over more than 160,000 foreign troops who will remain in Iraq. The government has the right to ask them to leave -- but has made clear it has no intention of doing so.

Smart move on our part, but I doubt it will alleviate the attacks.