Naseer Al-Nahr, Arab News

BAGHDAD, 9 June 2004 — The UN Security Council voted unanimously yesterday for a US-British resolution that formally ends the occupation of Iraq on June 30 and authorizes a US-led force to keep the peace.

“It means full sovereignty for Iraq. It means a new age in hopefully very pleasant Iraqi history,” said Iraq’s new interim president, Ghazi Al-Yawar, who is visiting Washington.

The vote by the 15-nation council endorsed a “sovereign” interim Iraqi government and said the country’s new leaders had the right to order the international troops to leave at any time. The resolution makes clear the mandate of the multinational force commanded by the Americans would expire, in any case, by the end of January 2006.

As part of the text, the United States pledged “partnership” and coordination with Iraq’s leaders on military campaigns but stopped short of giving Baghdad a veto over major offensives as France, Germany, Algeria and other council members had wanted.

President George W. Bush predicted the measure would instill democracy and be a “catalyst for change” in the Middle East.

France and Germany dropped their objections to the resolution after a last-minute compromise that gives Iraqi leaders a say on “sensitive offensive operations” by the multinational force — such as the controversial siege of Fallujah.

Meanwhile, car bombers blasted targets in two Iraqi cities yesterday, killing 15 people — including a US soldier — and wounding 50 others. Six European soldiers died when munitions they were transporting exploded south of Baghdad.

The Europeans — two Poles, three Slovaks and a Latvian — were killed in Suwayrah, 25 miles south of Baghdad. The deaths were the first fatalities for Slovakian and Latvian forces in Iraq, Polish Army spokesman Col. Zdzislaw Gnatowski said in Warsaw.

American troops were preparing to inspect a vehicle when it exploded, killing one US soldier and five Iraqis, the US military and police said. Fifteen Iraqis and 10 US soldiers were wounded.

A second car bomb exploded in the northern city of Mosul as a convoy of provincial council members passed by. The council members escaped injury, officials said. But nine people died and about 25 were injured, according to the US military. Mosul’s deputy police chief was injured, but not seriously.

In Baghdad, the US military announced the rescue of four hostages — three Italians and a Pole. Separately, Iraqi fighters disclosed they had kidnapped seven Turks and threatened to abduct more foreigners working with US forces.

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the senior US officer in Iraq, announced the rescue but gave few details. He said the operation occurred south of Baghdad but did not say where. He also said several suspects were arrested.