Iraq counts down to handover as attacks go on

IRAQ'S US administrator began a 100-day countdown to Iraqi sovereignty yesterday by hailing progress since Saddam Hussein's removal, but fresh violence underlined the country's instability.

Paul Bremer said the United States and its allies would help Iraq long after the occupation formally ends on June 30.

Mr Bremer listed progress on reconstruction and the passage of a de facto constitution among key achievements in Iraq since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam nearly a year ago.