Iraqi forces take over Muthanna province
Iraq-USA, Politics, 7/14/2006

The relatively peaceful southern Iraqi province of Muthanna is now in Iraqi hands, after control was handed over by coalition forces yesterday as the first province where security has been placed entirely under Iraqi civil authorities.

The handover was welcomed by Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during a ceremony marking the event in the provincial capital Samawah, about 370 kilometers (230 miles) southeast of Baghdad. According to the Associated Press, he called it an important step toward Iraq taking full responsibility for all of its 18 provinces by the end of 2007.

"It is a great national day that will be registered in the history of Iraq," he said. But he added that, "The terrorists want to destroy and foil the process of taking over the security issue and to hamper the political process."

In a joint statement, US General George Casey, who commands the multinational forces in Iraq, and US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said, "The handover represents a milestone in the successful development of Iraq's capability to govern and protect itself as a sovereign and democratic nation."

Casey and Khalilzad said that several other provinces are close to meeting the necessary criteria for a similar transfer of power. They also said the United States will give $10 million to Muthanna to aid reconstruction and development.

Australian, British and Japanese forces controlled security and provided economic and humanitarian assistance in Muthanna. Multinational troops will remain deployed nearby, to give assistance to the Iraqis if required, in a gradual progression toward complete withdrawal.

Al-Maliki will visit the United States later this month. The White House press office announced he will meet President Bush in Washington on July 25.

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