UN ends mandate of intl force in Iraq

The U.N. Security Council on Monday formally recognized the expiration of the U.S.-led multinational force's mandate in Iraq on Dec. 31 as requested by the Baghdad government.

The 15-member council unanimously adopted a U.S.-British resolution that recognizes "the expiration of the mandate of the multinational force at the end of Dec. 31 2008."

The United States, which supplies 95 percent of foreign troops in Iraq, has already signed a Status of Forces Agreement with the Baghdad government, under which its combat forces can remain in the country until the end of 2011.