Iraq Confident About Security After U.S. Troops Leave Towns

US military police officers (L) stand guard during a graduation ceremony for Iraqi police officers in Baghdad. Photo AFP.

From Yahoo News/AP:

TOKYO (Reuters) – Iraq is confident its security forces can manage alone after U.S. soldiers pull out of towns and cities this month, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Friday.

Concerns have arisen about Iraqi security forces' ability to combat increasing violence ahead of parliamentary elections due next January.

"The Iraqi government, about the security forces, are confident (they) are capable of taking over its full responsibility after the withdrawal of American forces" from cities, Zebari told a news conference on a visit to Tokyo.

"We are confident about the ability of our security forces. They've become more mature, more efficient," he said.

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