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December 2, 2011

U.S. Hands Over Largest Military Base in Iraq 
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The United States has officially handed formal control of its largest
military base in Iraq to the Iraqi government. The transfer of Camp
Victory marks the latest step in the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq by the
end of the month. The Obama administration announced the pullout earlier
this year after the Iraqi government refused to grant U.S. troops
immunity for a longer stay. At a ceremony marking the handover of Camp
Victory, Vice President Joe Biden praised the U.S. troops stationed in
Iraq.

Vice President Joe Biden: "Despite the withdrawal, the U.S. is leaving
behind thousands of private contractors. U.S. troops are expected to be
stationed in nearby Gulf states and could ultimately return under the
rubric of 'military training' for the Iraqi army."