Customs is armed with an intellectual-property law that was strengthened just three days before the handover from Britain.

ECONOMIST: Software piracy

Unemployment before the handover, at about 2% of the workforce, was almost negligible.

ECONOMIST: Light on its feet

Mr Sarkozy wants the climate package completely finished before the handover.

BBC: No deal amid EU climate deadlock

Two days before the handover, 15 people were killed in the province in a land dispute between two tribes outside Hilla, according to the Interior Ministry.

CNN: Part of Iraq 'Triangle of Death' back in Iraqi control

He may not even wait for the traditional week before the official handover to start his presidency.

CNN: Personality, not economics, lost Sarkozy the presidency

Mr Bremer had insisted that there was not enough time, technical wherewithal or security to hold an election before the scheduled handover to Iraqis by July 1st.

ECONOMIST: Elections or caucuses?

The coalition and IGC have called for Iraqis to choose a transitional government through caucuses, saying there is no time to pull together an electoral infrastructure before the scheduled handover of power to a new Iraqi government by June 30.

CNN: U.N. help sought on Iraq vote

Less than 90 days before the formal American handover, Mr Bremer is growing impatient.

ECONOMIST: Iraq

The US, attempting to defend their title, failed to progress from the heats after 200m finalist Muna Lee struggled to get hold of the baton on the second handover and stumbled before pulling up with a hamstring injury.

BBC: Jamaica's Bolt takes third gold