Maliki To Brits: “We’re Ready To Receive Basra Security File
Baghdad, Oct 31-Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told the visiting British Defense Secretary Des Browne on Wednesday that the work is underway to build the Iraqi armed forces to accelerate the handover of the security file throughout Iraq, asserting that Iraqi forces are ready to receive the Basra security file.
The Baghdad government had said that Basra, the last Iraqi province still remaining under British security control, would be transferred over to the Iraqi authorities in December.
“Our forces became ready to face challenges, bear responsibilities and hunt down for armed groups,” al-Maliki said during his meeting with Browne at his office.
“The national reconciliation project will continue despite difficulties and obstacles made by some people,” the premier said in a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
For his part, British Defense Secretary Des Browne asserted his country’s support to the Iraqi government and its desire to continue cooperation to achieve security and stability in the country, mainly in Basra.
The Media Spokesman for the Multinational forces in southern Iraq Major Matthew Bird told the VOI earlier that Browne discussed with the British Commander in southern Iraq, Major-General Jonathan Shaw, the handover of the security file in Basra.
Browne had arrived in Baghdad for an unannounced official visit on Wednesday morning.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said earlier this month that he believes Iraq can assume responsibility for security in southern Basra province from British forces within two months.
The British forces in Basra, 590 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, keep 5,250 troops within the Multi-National Forces in Iraq after withdrawing 1,850 soldiers during the past few months.
(VOI)
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[…] Maliki To Brits: “We’re Ready To Receive Basra Security File — Pat Dollard […]
October 31st, 2007 at 1:28 pmI can’t seem to shake the feeling that we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop in Basra.
I hope I’m wrong.
October 31st, 2007 at 4:05 pm