Iraq Cannot Defend Itsel Until 2020 According To Iraqi Armed Forces Chief Of Staff

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commanding general, U.S. Forces, Iraq, bid farewell to Gen. Babaker Zibari, Iraqi Armed Forces chief of staff, in Baghdad, July 27, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Iraq Won't Be Ready To Defend Itself Until 2020, Iraqi Official Says As US Withdrawal Date Nears -- New York Daily News

An Iraqi Army official admitted Wednesday that his military needs 10 more years before it is ready to defend the country by itself.

U.S. politicians must "fill the void," once American armed forces fully withdraw at the end of next year, Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Babaker Zebari told Agence France-Presse.

"The army will be fully ready in 2020," he said.

His comments contradict the U.S.'s top commander in Iraq.

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State Dept. faces skyrocketing costs as it prepares to expand role in Iraq -- Washington Post
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