Bye-bye, Baghdad; Petraeus Heads to US

[unhappycamper]

Bye-bye, Baghdad; Petraeus Heads to US
September 16, 2008
Associated Press

BAGHDAD - Gen. David Petraeus, who presided over Iraq's pullback from the brink of all-out civil war, relinquished his command today to Gen. Ray Odierno under a cascade of official thank-yous.

In an elaborate ceremony in a marble-lined rotunda of a former Saddam Hussein palace on the outskirts of the capital, Petraeus handed off to Odierno the responsibility for leading U.S. and coalition forces at a stage in the still-unpopular war that appears far more hopeful than when Petraeus assumed command 20 months ago.

Petraeus leaves behind a heavy dose of caution, reflected in his recommendation to President Bush that he maintain 15 combat brigades in Iraq through the end of the year instead of pulling out one or two, as many had expected.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates presided, recalling the perils faced by Petraeus at the start of his tour in February 2007.

"Darkness had descended on this land," Gates said. "Merchants of chaos were gaining strength. Death was commonplace," and people around the world were wondering whether any Iraq strategy would work.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/byebye-baghdad-petraeus-heads-to-us-.html