U.S. mission in Iraq to be largest

WASHINGTON, March 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. diplomatic mission in Baghdad will be the largest such U.S. facility anywhere in the world, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Monday.

On June 30, "the Iraqi interim government will assume full sovereignty and the United States will open a diplomatic mission in Baghdad, the largest U.S. mission anywhere in the world," he said in a speech to the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign. "This Department of State is ready to take on that challenge."

June 30 is the date the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority ceases to exist and the Iraqis assume full control of their nation.

The United States is expected to continue playing a key role in Iraqi affairs.