By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, addressing the nation’s lawmakers at a special session of parliament, said the multinational forces should remain in the country till completion of the re-establishment of the security forces.
The government has recently succeeded in breaking stalemate of the national political process by working out the four-party accord, that was followed with the five-side agreement comprising all political trends of the nation, he said.
The government has succeeded in creating an atmosphere of tolerance and moderation among the various trends and prevented eruption of a civil war, Al-Maliki told the lawmakers Monday.
The government has been counting heavily on “the back-up councils” that comprise tribal chiefs and local officials, for bolstering security in many hot spots of the country.
“These councils have contributed in enforcing security and stability in many troubled regions,” the prime minister affirmed.
These councils including tribal chiefs have also played a major role in protecting utility facilities and sites against sabotage, Al-Maliki added.
Stressing that the mission of the multinational forces in the country should be extended, Al-Maliki said, “although conditions in the country have improved, we still need more effort and time to allow the armed forces to be in full charge of the security situation.
“The golden key for reconstruction and improving the economic conditions lies with security … Iraq now needs to keep these forces in many governorates.
“Pro-government authorities in several governorates, namely Al-Anbar, Diyala, Salah-Eddine, Babel, Al-Madaen and Al-Taji, enlisted up to 27,500 volunteers from the tribes to help in enforcing security,” he said, adding that up to 14,178 members from the armed militias joined the government forces in the fight against the terrorist organisations.
Normal life has been restored to troubled regions, namely Al-Karkh, Al-Ghazaliah, Al-Adel and Al-Sadr, he said, adding that up to 6,228 families who had been relocated as a result of violence returned home. The plan has resulted in killing 652 terrorists and detention of 5,941 others, he said.