US President George Bush quietly took note of the secret handover of power in Iraq yesterday by checking his watch at a NATO summit and then shaking hands with his closest war ally, British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair.
They knew what others in the room at that moment did not - that the United States had transferred sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government two days before the announced date of June 30th.
Senior administration officials said Mr Bush agreed to Iraqi Prime Minister Mr Iyad Allawi's request for an early handover of power because the new government is ready to take command and also in an effort to head off a surge of militant attacks.
In the summit conference room, Mr Bush glanced at his watch, exchanged knowing smiles with Mr Blair, who was seated at his side, and then they shook hands as they sat around an oblong table listening to speeches. This was shortly after the Baghdad ceremony had taken place.
Just before, Mr Bush exchanged handwritten notes with a beaming US Defence Secretary, Mr Donald Rumsfeld.
Mr Bush was informed of the handover in a note from his National Security Adviser, Dr Condoleezza Rice.
"Mr President," it began, "Iraq is sovereign. Letter was passed from Bremer at 10.26 a.m. Iraqi time - Condi." Mr Bush promptly wrote across her note: "Let Freedom Reign!".
Senior Bush administration officials said an early handover had been discussed between US and Iraqi officials for the past week, and Mr Allawi had made a final decision on Sunday night. Mr Bush quickly agreed.
"They're calling the shots, and this was a shot he called and we were glad to oblige," one official said of Mr Allawi.
The officials admitted that thwarting a surge in attacks believed planned for the formal handover date - tomorrow - was a factor in the decision.
"We have said all along that we believed that the terrorists on the ground were going to do everything they can to literally and figuratively blow up the handover of sovereignty," an official said.
Militants have kidnapped a US marine, a Pakistani driver and three Turkish civilian workers and have threatened to behead them during the run-up to the formal transfer of power. At least four strong explosions shook the heart of the Iraqi capital last night. Three strong blasts reverberated through the city after midnight local time.
Mr Allawi is believed to be considering declaring martial law to try to restore order.
The officials said a driving factor in the early transfer was the fact that the new Iraqi government was ready to take over, that all ministries were now headed by Iraqi officials.
They said the handover would strengthen Mr Allawi's hand.
There is no sign US forces will be able to leave Iraq soon, though they are shifting their focus to helping Iraqi security forces fight militants rather than tackling them directly.