Posted on 02/23/2007 1:15:45 AM PST by Earthdweller
The Iraqi Government says it is ready to take over security in southern Iraq once Britain withdraws 1,600 troops in the coming months.
But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has insisted British forces will still be needed for support.
His British counterpart, Tony Blair, said on Wednesday the UK would withdraw almost a quarter of its troops from Iraq, reducing its levels from 7,100 to roughly 5,500, most of them in the province of Basra.
Local Governor Mohammed al-Waeli says 3,000 Iraqi troops will be sent to Basra when British forces begin to pull out.
In the first comments by the Iraqi Government since Mr Blair made his announcement, Mr Maliki says Britain's decision is a sign of the "rapid development" of Iraqi forces.
(Excerpt) Read more at abc.net.au ...
they will take it over, then give it away and Minister Nouri al-Maliki knows it
Maliki has the toughest job in the world. His goal is to lead a stable and independent Iraq despite a million factions in Iraq against him.
"Maliki has the toughest job in the world. His goal is to lead a stable and independent Iraq despite a million factions in Iraq against him."
it would help him to quit protecting the enemy, as in Al Sadr
Al Sadr has fled Iraq for some strange reason. Hmmmmm...
FYI
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