News Story

03 December 2008 00:04 BST

Gen Petraeus hands over Iraq control

General David Petraeus has handed over control of US military operations in Iraq to assume responsibility for the wider region.

US defence secretary Robert Gates arrived in Baghdad on a surprise visit on Monday to attend today's handover, which saw Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno take over.

Gen Petraeus, 55, has been credited with improving the security situation in Iraq after implementing United States president George Bush's troop surge.

He took over command of the US troops in Iraq in February 2007 and upon leaving his post will become the new chief of Central Command, overseeing all operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

The general's send-off was marred when a female suicide bomber blew herself up and killed 22 others in the Diyala province yesterday, highlighting the continuing unstable conditions in Iraq.

Mr Gates praised General Petraeus's contribution to the Iraq war today, saying he took over when "darkness had descended on this land".

"Merchants of chaos were gaining strength. Death was commonplace. Around the world, questions mounted about whether a new strategy - or any strategy, for that matter - could make a real difference.

"You have dealt enemies of the United States and Iraq a tremendous, if not mortal blow. History will regard you as one of our nation's great battle captains."

Gen Petraeus said that Lieutenant General Odierno was the "perfect man" to take over from him.

His successor said that authorities in Baghdad would have to take on more responsibility for security within Iraq but warned that the country remained fragile.

"Time is changing. Iraq is going to take more responsibility. The environment has changed. What I hope to see is a change from military to political, economic and diplomatic strategy," Lt Gen Odierno told reporters.

"Iraq is now a different country from the one I had seen first. However, we must realise that these gains are fragile and reversible."