Iraqi refugees return home

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's presidential aircraft landed in Baghdad today, carrying the first group of Iraqi refugees returning home from Egypt, according to a report in Aswat Aliraq, an independent Iraqi news agency.

"This flight will be followed by other weekly flights with the aim of facilitating the process for displaced Iraqis to return to their land," Maj. General Qassem Atta said.

Maliki issued an order earlier this month giving occupants of homes owned by refugees one month to vacate them.

About 4.4 million refugees fled their homes after the U.S. led invasion, according to the U.N. High Commissioner on Refugees, with around 2.2 million fleeing to neighboring countries, primarily Jordan, Syria and Egypt.

The return of Iraqi's home further illustrates the improving situation in Iraq and the steady march toward normalcy.