April 30 (Bloomberg) -- An Iraqi general believed to be taking over control of Fallujah arrived in the Iraqi city today, greeted by flag-waving crowds as U.S. Marines began to withdraw, Agence France-Presse reported, citing its photographer traveling with the Marines.

Major General Jassem Mohamed Saleh arrived to head the newly formed Fallujah Protection Army, which will take over security in the mainly Sunni-Muslim city west of Baghdad, AFP reported, citing unidentified U.S. Marine commanders.

The 1st Battalion of the 5th Marines Regiment began withdrawing from frontline positions in abandoned factories and garages, AFP reported. The U.S. military also released the imam of a Fallujah mosque after holding him for eight months, AFP said, citing a Sunni Muslim official.

Violence flared in Fallujah on April 4, when the U.S. began an operation to quell insurgents after the killing of four U.S. contractors there. U.S. military spokesmen in Baghdad said they couldn't confirm that a deal to end the fighting was reached in talks with the city's civilian leaders. U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz yesterday denied reports of an accord.

(Agence France-Presse, 4-30)

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Morales in London at amorales2@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: April 30, 2004 06:26 EDT