US hands over key Anbar province to Iraqis

The province began a transformation in late 2006 as former insurgents turned against al-Qaeda and became US allies.

Towns in the province - like Ramadi and Falluja - were once part of the so-called "triangle of death".

With Anbar's transfer Iraqis will control security in 11 of the country's 18 provinces.

The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says the handover represents a significant milestone for America in Iraq.

But he says there are major concerns about whether the well-armed Sunni tribesmen who helped the US fight al-Qaeda can ever work comfortably with the national government of Iraq.