Washington, Oct 23 : The US has warned Iraq of ending its military operations there if it rejects a newly negotiated security pact.
According to CBS News, the White House said the current legal basis for U. S. military operations in Iraq expires on December 31, and if the proposed security deal is not approved by that time, the United States would be forced to end its military operations there.
The White House also stated that Iraqi security forces are incapable of keeping the peace without U. S. troops.
Baghdad - Iraq's Babel province Thursday took over its own, Iraqi-led security duties from the Multi-National Forces (MNF).
"Taking responsibility for Babel province shows that the Iraqi forces are capable of taking control of their own security and fighting terrorism," National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie said during the handover ceremony.
US soldiers were present at the ceremony along with high-ranking Iraqi officials and clan chiefs. No other nationalities were present. The mostly Shiite province is the 12th to receive its security file.
Amman - Interior ministers of Iraq and eight of its neighbouring countries were scheduled to meet in Amman Thursday to discuss ways of helping the Iraqi government restore security to the violence-torn nation.
The two-day conference, the fifth of its type since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, will be attended by Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey and Iran.
Baghdad - Bombings claimed several lives across Iraq Wednesday as the Iraqi and US governments haggled over an agreement to keep US forces in Iraq. Without the agreement, the US government says, violence could increase in Iraq.
Washington is increasing pressure on Baghdad to sign off on the agreement without amendments, according to Al-Sabah, an Iraqi newspaper close to the administration.
It reported Wednesday that US diplomats and military officials had "begun a massive campaign to convince sceptical members of the administration."
Baghdad - Five people were killed and nine injured in attacks in Mosul and Baghdad Wednesday.
In western Mosul, four civilians were killed and three injured in a car bomb explosion, a police source said. He told the Voices of Iraq (VOI) news agency that the explosion occurred in the al-Thawra neighborhood.
Mosul, the capital city of Nineveh, lies 405 kilometres north of Baghdad.
Washington, Oct 23 : The US has warned Iraq of ending its military operations there if it rejects a newly negotiated security pact.
Amman - Interior ministers of Iraq and eight of its neighbouring countries were scheduled to meet in Amman Thursday to discuss ways of helping the Iraqi government restore security to the violence-torn nation.
Baghdad - Bombings claimed several lives across Iraq Wednesday as the Iraqi and US governments haggled over an agreement to keep US forces in Iraq. Without the agreement, the US government says, violence could increase in Iraq.
Baghdad - Five people were killed and nine injured in attacks in Mosul and Baghdad Wednesday.
