By a 15-0 vote, the council endorsed a resumption of Iraqi control over the nation's political and economic affairs for the first time since the fall of Saddam Hussein. The U.S.-dominated military occupation of Iraq will end formally June 30, although 160,000 foreign soldiers will remain to battle insurgents.

The resolution backs a measure of sovereignty for Iraq that gives its leaders the authority to make political decisions and control the economy, including oil-industry revenues that have been managed for more than a decade by foreigners.

An interim government headed by Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite once supported by the CIA, will command Iraq's security forces and will have the right to order the exit of foreign troops, although Allawi said he does not intend to do so.

On the most delicate issue, the United States preserved the authority to wage military operations as American commanders see fit.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 12, 2004
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