President George W. Bush on Monday praised as a major achievement the handover of control of Iraq's al-Anbar province to Iraqi forces, saying the once violent region had been “transformed and reclaimed by the Iraqi people.” “Iraqi forces will now take the lead in security operations in Anbar, with American troops moving into on overwatch role,” Bush said in a statement released by the White House. “Not long ago, Anbar was one of the most dangerous provinces in Iraq,” and al Qaida leaders “intended to turn Anbar province into a safe haven from which to plan and launch further attacks against Iraqis and others in the region, as well as here at home,” Bush wrote.
