Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Media: AFP
Byline:
Date: 23 October 2006
LONDON, Oct 23, 2006 (AFP) - Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh said
Monday that half of the country's provinces would be under direct Iraqi
control by the end of the year after meeting British Prime Minister Tony
Blair.
"By the end of this year, nearly seven or eight provinces of Iraq out of 18
provinces will be under direct Iraqi security control," he said, stressing
the importance of Iraqis taking control with the backing of the
international community.
"I do believe there is no option for the international community to cut and
run -- the fate of Iraq is vital to the future of the Middle East and world
order."
The meeting with Blair at Downing Street came amid increasing debate over
US and British strategy in Iraq, where violence is escalating.
The Guardian newspaper reported that Blair would pressure Saleh to show
that Iraqi security forces would be ready to take over from Britain's army
in the southern provinces of Iraq within a year, but Blair's office denied
there would be any talk of an exit strategy.
In a BBC radio interview earlier, Saleh cautioned against "panic" in the
debate on Iraq and spoke of the need for an "enduring partnership" with the
United States and Britain.
The meetings come after US President George W. Bush met top advisors and
generals Saturday as reports suggested he was increasing the pressure on
Baghdad to control the violence and that the United States could adjust its
strategy if there was no improvement.
About 85 US troops have been killed in Iraq so far this month and, if
deaths continue at the same rate, it will be the bloodiest month for the US
military since November 2004.
Byline:
Date: 23 October 2006
LONDON, Oct 23, 2006 (AFP) - Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh said
Monday that half of the country's provinces would be under direct Iraqi
control by the end of the year after meeting British Prime Minister Tony
Blair.
"By the end of this year, nearly seven or eight provinces of Iraq out of 18
provinces will be under direct Iraqi security control," he said, stressing
the importance of Iraqis taking control with the backing of the
international community.
"I do believe there is no option for the international community to cut and
run -- the fate of Iraq is vital to the future of the Middle East and world
order."
The meeting with Blair at Downing Street came amid increasing debate over
US and British strategy in Iraq, where violence is escalating.
The Guardian newspaper reported that Blair would pressure Saleh to show
that Iraqi security forces would be ready to take over from Britain's army
in the southern provinces of Iraq within a year, but Blair's office denied
there would be any talk of an exit strategy.
In a BBC radio interview earlier, Saleh cautioned against "panic" in the
debate on Iraq and spoke of the need for an "enduring partnership" with the
United States and Britain.
The meetings come after US President George W. Bush met top advisors and
generals Saturday as reports suggested he was increasing the pressure on
Baghdad to control the violence and that the United States could adjust its
strategy if there was no improvement.
About 85 US troops have been killed in Iraq so far this month and, if
deaths continue at the same rate, it will be the bloodiest month for the US
military since November 2004.