It has threatened sanctions against American firms and the withdrawal of co-operation on international issues.

ECONOMIST: Geopolitics

Jeffrey Buchanan said the withdrawal convoys were a "deliberate operation" that required intense military planning.

WSJ: Battle Flag Comes Down in Baghdad, Iraq

However, "I have made it clear that if subsequently the withdrawal timetable is breached, the agreement requires the air operation to resume, " Jackson said.

CNN: marines

As the situation in the north remained volatile, however, the rescue operation continued for three months after the rebel withdrawal, until 2, 400 metal boxes containing an estimated 285, 000 manuscripts had been delivered to private homes in the capital.

BBC: How Timbuktu's manuscripts were smuggled to safety