Thursday, October 19, 2006
Iraq Oil Minister: Iraqi forces ready by end of 2007
Security
Iraqi security forces could be ready to take over the battle against insurgents from U.S.-led coalition troops by the end of next year, Iraq's oil minister said Thursday. But Hussain al-Shahristani stressed that Iraq still needed international help to fight a terrorist threat that could spread to the rest of the world.
"Iraq unfortunately has become a battlefield of international terrorists," al-Shahristani said during a visit to Australia's capital, Canberra. "We expect the international community to stay with the Iraqi people in this war against international terrorism because if these people are allowed to succeed, God forbid, in Iraq, then they'll be a threat to the whole world."
Al-Shahristani said Iraq would "have sufficient trained and equipped Iraqi forces to take over responsibility" for security "by the end of 2007, or perhaps 2008. Over half of the country now is totally under control of the Iraqi forces," he said. But Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said it was still uncertain when Iraq's military would be ready.
"Iraq unfortunately has become a battlefield of international terrorists," al-Shahristani said during a visit to Australia's capital, Canberra. "We expect the international community to stay with the Iraqi people in this war against international terrorism because if these people are allowed to succeed, God forbid, in Iraq, then they'll be a threat to the whole world."
Al-Shahristani said Iraq would "have sufficient trained and equipped Iraqi forces to take over responsibility" for security "by the end of 2007, or perhaps 2008. Over half of the country now is totally under control of the Iraqi forces," he said. But Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said it was still uncertain when Iraq's military would be ready.
