By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki mulled with General George Casey – the top U.S. Commander in Iraq – the security situation in Iraq following the extension of the mandate of the U.S.-led Multi-National Force in Iraq to December 2008.
During the talks, held at Al-Maliki’s office here Wednesday, the Iraqi premier asserted that the situations Iraq have been remarkably improved not only in the security aspect but also in the economic and services ones as well.
“The Iraqi armed forces turned to be more capable of confronting terrorist groups and insurgents,” a statement issued by the office quoted Al-Maliki as saying to Casey.
“The Iraqi government is working to further enhance the capability of the Iraqi security forces in the coming period,” according to the statement of which KUNA received a copy.
“Based on the success made in the security aspect, the government plans to make new achievements in the economic and reconstruction fields and offer better services to the citizens in the coming year,” it pointed out.
For his part, General Casey praised the high level of combat preparedness of the Iraqi forces in terms of number, training and equipment.
The Iraqi forces asserted themselves in tracking down terrorists and law violators across Iraq, he said, renewing the U.S. support for the Iraqi government in this regard.
Al-Maliki-Casey meeting took place one day after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution renewing the mandate of the MNF in Iraq for one year in response to an Iraqi government request.
Al-Maliki sent a letter to the UNSC asking the international organization to extend the mandate of the MNF which played a remarkable and effective role in the enforcement of law and order in Iraq, according to a statement posted on the UN website.