US Marines attend a multi-national transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Babylon in Hilla, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad. Poland took control of a large chunk of Iraq (news - web sites) becoming the third country after the United States and Britain to accept official responsibility as an occupying force. Poland will have control over a region between Baghdad and Basra as commander of a 9,000-man force including elements from Bulgaria, Spain, Ukraine and other countries(AFP/Rabih Moghrabi)
Polish soldiers attend a handover ceremony in the old amphitheatre in Babylon, Iraq, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003. The top U.S. commander in Iraq on Wednesday symbolically marked the transfer of control over the south-central part of the country to an international force led by Poland, hailing the handover as a sign of the international community's commitment to Iraq. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
A Polish Special Forces soldier guards a handover ceremony in the old amphitheatre in Babylon , Iraq ,Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003. The top U.S. commander in Iraq on Wednesday symbolically marked the transfer of control over the south-central part of the country to an international force led by Poland, hailing the handover as a sign of the international community's commitment to Iraq. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
U.S. Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, right, and Polish Maj. Gen. Andrzej Tyszkiewicz salute during a handover ceremony in the old amphitheater of Babylon, September 3, 2003. The top U.S. commander in Iraq on Wednesday symbolically marked the transfer of control over the south-central part of the country to an international force led by Poland, hailing the handover as a sign of the international community's commitment to Iraq. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
Polish (front row)) and American soldiers hold flags during a handover ceremony in the old amphitheater in Babylon, Iraq September 3, 2003. The United States went to the United Nations (news - web sites) to seek help with troops and money for Iraq, but said it would not give up command of military operations or its dominant role in the country. (Peter Andrews/Reuters)
Iraqi children hop on a truck carrying Polish troops, part of the US-led coalition in Iraq. President George W. Bush has called on the UN to put aside "past differences" and appealed even to opponents of the US-led invasion of Iraq for troops and money(AFP/File/Robert Sullivan)