<br/>Iraqi officials have taken the responsibility of the Cropper Theater Internment Facility from US forces which was the last major U.S. run detention facility in Iraq. Deputy commanding general for detainee operations and provost marshal general of United States Forces in Iraq, Major General Jerry Cannon has signed the transfer documents.<br/><br/>According to a statement of US forces in Iraq, received by AIR, Major General Cannon said that the transfer of the facility is a major milestone along the democratic journey of self-determination and reliance for the Government of Iraq. He added that his continued partnership with the Ministry of Justice has enabled the transfer of detainees in a safe and orderly manner to the Iraqi correctional service in accordance with the security agreement.<br/><br/>The Cropper TIF currently houses approximately 1,500 detainees being held on Government of Iraq arrest warrants, detention orders or convictions. The Cropper facility is the third and final major detention facility transferred to Iraqi control or closed in the last year. The facility was used by U.S. forces for the care and custody of detainees since April 2003 and can hold up to 4,000 prisoners.<br/><br/>Dhirendra Ojha: Dubai: E-mail: 0805 Hrs.