Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said yesterday that Iraqi forces
will take over security in all of the country's 18 provinces by the
end of the year. US forces currently are responsible for security
in all but one Iraqi province.
Iraqi leaders have said previously that their goal is to be
fully in control of the country's security by the end of 2006, but
Talabani's statement to reporters was the most direct on the
subject.
Talabani did not elaborate, and it was not clear if he meant
whether the US would retain an advisory type of role in security or
take a fully hands-off approach.
US forces are currently responsible for the security of 17 of
Iraq's 18 provinces. Only Samawah Province is totally under Iraqi
forces at present.
(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies August 3, 2006)
