Baghdad - Iraqi forces took over security responsibility in the western province of Anbar on Monday amid military celebrations - and heightened security.

The Sunni province of Anbar is the eleventh province to take responsibility for its own security duties after undergoing a remarkable transition since 2006, when it was the focus of Sunni resistance to the US occupation.

Earlier on Monday, Iraqi forces imposed a curfew on the Sunni province. All vehicles were prohibited from moving in the province's streets and work was adjourned in the governmental entities in preparation to receive Anbar's security file, the Voices of Iraq (VOI) news agency reported.

Celebrations were attended by national security advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubaie, Governor of Anbar Mamoun al-Alwany, as well as the head of Anbar's "Awakenings" council, Sheikh Abu Sattar Abu Risha, VOI reported.

The Awakenings movement was instrumental in the move to ally local leaders with US troops and break al-Qaeda's organization in the province.

Entrances to the city of Anbar were sealed and the curfew was announced through mosque loudspeakers.

Anbar's security transfer was initially scheduled to take place at the end of June, but disputes among local politicians leaders - and ostensibly, bad weather - postponed the process.

Some 25,000 US soldiers were deployed in Anbar province. Following the handover, US forces will be stationed in their bases outside the cities and will only be visible when requested, VOI said quoting an official at the national security advisor's office.

After Anbar province took over its own security, Iraqi forces are currently in control of 11 out of Iraq's 18 provinces.

The commander of US forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus said in June that at least two other provinces, other than Anbar, would be handed over to Iraqis before the end of this year. (dpa)