Iraq National Security Advisor: Iraqi takeover of security won't meet goal

Above: Iraqi Army soldiers from the 6th Iraqi Army Division conduct a live-fire exercise as part of an advanced infantry course last week in Mahmudiyah.

Iraq's national security adviser expressed doubt Friday that Iraqi forces will be able to assume security control of the whole country by the end of the year, a goal of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government.

In April, al-Maliki said Iraqi soldiers and police would take over security responsibility from U.S. and other international forces in all 18 provinces by the end of 2007, allowing the American-led coalition to shift into a support role and possibly begin sending troops home.

"We had hopes and intentions to take over security in all provinces and command of all army divisions before the end of the year," national security adviser Mouwaffak al-Rubaie told The Associated Press. "But there are difficulties and challenges that appeared along the way, in arming, equipping, recruiting and training our armed forces."

Al-Rubaie would not give a new deadline.

Read the rest at the Houston Chronicle

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