The US Marine Corps wrapped up its role on Saturday in Iraq,handing over duties to the Army and signalling the beginning of an accelerated withdrawal of American troops as the US turns its focus away from the waning Iraqi war to a growing one in Afghanistan. The Marines were set to formally hand control of Sunni-dominated Anbar,Iraqs largest province,to the Army during a ceremony at a base in Ramadi,where some of the fiercest fighting of the war took place. If all goes as planned,the last remaining Marines will be followed out by tens of thousands of soldiers in the coming months. US President Barack Obama has ordered all but 50,000 troops out of the country by August 31,2010,with most to leave after the March 7 parliamentary election.
