Commander backs Iraqi PM after criticism

General George Casey and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki at a ceremony turning over limited control of Iraqi armed forces earlier this month

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq issued an unusual statement declaring support for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Friday, after news media quoted senior U.S. military officials criticizing the government.

As violence in Iraq worsens, military and civilian officials in the U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq have been expressing concern over the past week that Maliki has failed to rein in death squads or stop corruption in his elected, unity government.

"Recent news articles cite unnamed senior military officials as being critical of Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his government," the media office of the top commander in Iraq, General George Casey, said in a statement.

"These unattributed comments do not reflect the close partnership between the Government of Iraq and Multi-National Force-Iraq. We fully support the courageous and decisive efforts of the prime minister and the (government)."

It quoted Casey himself calling Maliki "a determined, courageous leader taking on some very difficult issues."

"I do believe he is very much up to the task."

In four briefings over the past week attended by Reuters correspondents in Iraq, no official criticized Maliki personally and all stressed their support and understanding for his stated policy of disarming unofficial armed groups.

However, all also highlighted other problems with the government. One senior U.S. military official said "in every single ministry" officials were siphoning state funds to "fill the coffers of the political parties."

Another senior U.S. military official said elements in the Interior Ministry, responsible for the police, were still cooperating with Shi'ite sectarian death squads.

In both those cases, groups of journalists were invited to briefings by the U.S. military, which stipulated in advance the condition that the senior officials not be named.

Read the rest at the Washington Post

Related Link:
American commanders question political will of Iraqi Prime Minister

Related Link:
Doubts Rise on Iraqi Premier’s Strength

Related Link:
US hands some military control back to Iraq