Iraqi peace in the hands of the people

BAGHDAD, July 1 (UPI) -- The path toward peace in Iraq lies now with its people and its elected officials, said the departing U.N. envoy to Iraq, Staffan de Mistura.

Iraq celebrated National Sovereignty Day on Tuesday, marking the day in which U.S. forces withdrew from cities and villages to their military bases.

U.S. combat forces were obligated under the terms of a bilateral security agreement with Baghdad to pull out of city centers by midnight Tuesday and are set for a complete withdrawal by the end of 2011.

With nearly two years of service as the U.N. special envoy to Iraq, de Mistura, who also led the U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq, hailed the milestone as an opportunity for the Iraqi people.

"The primary responsibility for putting Iraq on an irreversible path towards lasting peace and development rests with the people of this great country, who are relying on their political leaders to put the needs of the state and of the people above all other interests," he said.

The special envoy said the U.S. drawdown was evidence of the "significant progress" made by Iraqi security forces, the citizens and political leaders.

The drawdown was met with mixed optimism, with some hailing the end of what was considered foreign occupation, while others worried over lingering disputes and sectarian conflict.

De Mistura leaves Iraq to take up a position as the deputy executive director at the World Food Program. Andrew Gilmour will serve as the interim head of UNAMI until a new special representative is appointed.