Iraq is filled with joy as American troops hand security duties over to Iraqi forces and end their presence on the streets of the country's towns and cities.

Tens of thousands of Iraqi people rushed to the streets and held giant parties on Monday and Tuesday to mark the withdrawal of US soldiers.

As part of a security accord between Baghdad and Washington, American soldiers will only be able to enter cities if requested by the Iraqi government.

Iraq has declared June 30 a national holiday, calling it "a day of national sovereignty" with large parties planned to mark the US pullout, which will hand over more security control to Iraqi forces.

On Monday, Iraqi soldiers paraded through the capital carrying flowers and Iraqi flags to mark the eve of the handover. Patriotic songs were played at all checkpoints in Baghdad.

Authorities have tightened security across the country and Iraqi troops are on high alert for militant attacks during the changeover.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has repeatedly warned that militant attacks are likely to rise in the coming weeks to "undermine confidence in Iraq's own security forces".

All US troops are expected to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.

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