TEHRAN, June 29: Iran said on Tuesday the US transfer of power to Iraqis was a "positive step" toward the holding of free elections and withdrawal of foreign troops.

"The hand over of Iraq's sovereignty to the interim government and the end of occupation based on UN Security Council Resolution 1546 is a positive step," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said.

"The interim government is expected to provide grounds for the restoration of full sovereignty, the real end of the occupation, and free and timely general elections," he added. "It is now different from the time of the occupation," said Asefi, quoted by Iran's official media. -AFP