Iraqi security forces ready, lawmaker says

BAGHDAD, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Iraqi defense officials said security for the Jan. 31 provincial elections suggested national forces were ready to take control from the Americans.

Abbas al-Bayat, a member of the security and defense committee in the Iraqi Parliament, said with Iraqi military divisions and police forces deployed in each province, national security forces were ready to assume responsibility for securing their nation, the Voices of Iraq news agency reported.

"If the U.S. side wants to reduce its forces' deployment period in Iraq from 24 to 16 months, then Iraqi security forces have the full ability to receive the security folders throughout the country," he said.

Defense officials note Iraqi security forces have stepped up their operations throughout the country as U.S. military forces pull back to their bases as part of a bilateral security agreement that replaced the U.N. mandate for multinational forces.

Iraqi military and police forces took charge of major security operations during the Jan. 31 provincial elections, leaving U.S. forces on stand-by as quick reaction units.

The elections were conducted with very few reports of violence.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Emerging_Threats/2009/02/10/Iraqi_security_forces_ready_lawmaker_says/UPI-43921234307695/.