On Dec 15, 2005 Iraq's elected 275 members to the Iraqi National Congress. Iraq is now a soverign nation and can pass any law that it wants to. Like kicking out all foreign troops in their country. Ever wonder why there arn't any Russian troops garrisoned in Kansas City? The UN mandate also expired on Dec 15,2005. It was under the UN mandate that several nations sent troops to help reconstruct Iraq. The new Iraqi congress sits at the end of the month Jan 2006. Before this can happen the votes must be counted and a president, 2 vice presidents and a prime mininister must be decided on. The Iraqi constiution must also be re-written. As the Sunnis agreed to the Dec 15th elections in exchange for a 3 month window to change the Iraqi constitution. When the paper work was drawup for the Iraq provisional\ constiution, and real elections.. The Sunnis would not sign the compact, unless it allowed for foreign troops to be kicked out after the provisonal elections last Jan 15. The second campaign plank of the Shites main party called for kicking out all foreign troops after the Provsional elections. After the provisioal elections last Jan 2005, Bush talked the provisional president out of kicking out US troops, But, Bush did say on national troops, if asked he would withdraw US troops. ***update*** The UN madate was renewed by the premier of Iraq. it is set to expire in dec 2007. A new law passed by the Iraq congrees (Shittie controlled) says any renewal must be approved by the Iraq Congress...6 shite ministers resigned when the Premier refused to set a timetable for withdrawal of foreing troops from Iraq. http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/53230/