The handshake that confirms it: the US military hands over its last base in Iraq.<br/> Camp Adder, also known as Imam Ali Airbase, about 185 miles south of Baghdad, was officially transferred to the Iraqi government in a low-key ceremony on Friday.<br/> The move marks the end of nine years of U.S. presence in the country, as government representative Hussein al-Alladi proudly pointed out.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) REPRESENTATIVE OF IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NURI AL-MALIKI, HUSSEIN AL-ASSADI, SAYING:<br/> " Today we have turned the last page of the occupation and we, therefore, announce the departure of the last American combat soldier from Iraqi soil."<br/> Violence in Iraq has dropped sharply since the sectarian conflict in 2006-2007 but Iraqi forces are still battling a Sunni Islamist insurgency.<br/> Both U.S. and Iraqi officials say local armed forces can contain the violence though help is needed to build up defences.<br/> Now only civilian trainers will remain in Iraq to help teach forces how to use extensive U.S.-made hardware they have recently purchased.<br/> Sunita Rappai, Reuters
