American, Iraqi ambassadors discuss transfer of authority

The American and British ambassador to Iraq discussed with the Iraqi ministers of defense and the interior the issue of security transfer to the Iraqi forces, in preparation for the withdrawal of the foreign forces from Iraq.

A statement circulated following the meeting said that the two sides reached the basic understanding for responsibility to transfer authority on security in any region to be based on the ability of the Iraqi forces to perform its mission on its own.

Some 14 governorates out of 18 in Iraq are considered relatively stable in terms of security at the meantime, while in other governorates, attacks are still continuous.

The statement added that responsibility for transfer of security will be carried out gradually in order to ensure the continued success of the government and the Iraqi security forces.

It was decided that members of the committee will meet twice a week from now on, in order to formulate the process of security responsibility transfer, and to submit a report to this effect to the Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari by the fall of September 26th.