BLOGGING EXCLUSIVE -- MUST CREDIT BEYOND NORTHERN IRAQ

I can report that the date for the handover of sovereignty in Iraq has been brought forward from the scheduled date of Wednesday June 30th.

Speaking here at the NATO summit in Istanbul, Iraq's Foreign Minister, Hoshar Zebari, said "I believe that we will challenge these terrorists, criminals, Saddamists and anti-democratic forces by bringing even the date of the handover forward."

The handover is now expected to take place today.

Downing Street has refused to confirm a change in the handover date. A spokesman for Number 10 said an announcement would be made later today.

President Bush is due to meet Tony Blair in Istanbul at around 1600 local time (1300 GMT). Expect more around that time.

Developing....