Rally crowd in Iraq cheered by end to US troops

Maryland Leader Saturday 4th February, 2012

Tens of thousands of people have attended a mass rally in Iraq to cheer the cessation of US troop movements in the country.

The celebration rally was organized by Iraq's Hezbollah movement to commemorate the withdrawal of US troops in December.

US soldiers were sent into Iraq in 2003 in a planned movement to get rid of Saddam Hussein.

Most Iraqis saw the US presence as an occupation of the country.

Washington only pulled out of Iraq after more than one million citizens were left dead or injured.

Around 4500 American soldiers were also killed in Iraqi battles.

December 31st, the last day for US troops to withdraw, has now been proclaimed a national day by the Iraqi government.