By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad Bolani on Dec 7 2007 said the Iraqi police forces and army were ready to take over security responsibilities once the multi-national forces (MNF) started their gradual withdrawal.
Bolani said the interior and defense ministries were coordinating to fill in any security vacuum caused by the withdrawal of some of the American forces.
“We are in constant planning with the ministry of defense to take over the security responsibilities,” Bolani told a news conference.
“The improvement of the security situation required reduction of these (American) forces, and it is a reality enforced by the new security situation, ” he added.
He said the security forces have received the first batches of military hardware and arms.