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http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/IraqisTakeControlInAlMuthanna.htm
Iraqis take control in Al Muthanna
13 Jul 06
Iraqi authorities in Al Muthanna, South-East Iraq, officially took over the responsibility for security in their province today, Thursday 13 July 2006, at a ceremony in the capital, As Samawah.
A Staff Sergeant, part of the Queen Dragoon Guards A Squadron, gives out gifts to local Iraqi children, in Al Muthanna.
Picture: Cpl Chris Hargeaves
Defence Secretary Des Browne welcomed this development, saying:
"This is a milestone for the people of Al Muthanna and their Provincial Council, and also for the people of Iraq.
"It is a proud day for the Iraqi Security Forces and the Iraqi government. They have worked hard to get here and have shown a lot of determination. Today takes them one step nearer to assuming full responsibility for their own security and to building a stable and democratic future for their country."
Al Muthanna is the first of four British lead provinces in the South where security has been handed over to the civil authorities.
The decision to hand over security responsibility was taken by the Iraqi government in close consultation with the coalition. It was based on a joint assessment that the handover conditions – including level of threat and capability of the Iraqi security forces and national and provincial government - had been established on the ground.
The Iraqi security forces in Al Muthanna number over 5,000 and have already assumed much of the day-to-day responsibility for providing security. Coalition forces in the province – Australian and Japanese as well as UK – have largely focused on providing training and mentoring along with reconstruction efforts.
Mr Browne continued:
"I pay tribute to the UK, Japanese and Australian troops for their role in training and mentoring the Iraqi security forces and their important contribution towards the reconstruction effort."
To formalise the handover, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the General Officer Commanding Multi-National Division South-East (GOC MNDSE), Major General John Cooper, and Mohammed-Ali Hassan Abbas al-Hassani, Governor of the Provincial Council. Representatives of the Iraq national government, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development also attended the event.
Commenting on today's developments, General Cooper said:
"We were and are dedicated to building a strong, democratic country for the people of Iraq. Today is an important step towards completing that objective."
Iraqis take control in Al Muthanna
13 Jul 06
Iraqi authorities in Al Muthanna, South-East Iraq, officially took over the responsibility for security in their province today, Thursday 13 July 2006, at a ceremony in the capital, As Samawah.
A Staff Sergeant, part of the Queen Dragoon Guards A Squadron, gives out gifts to local Iraqi children, in Al Muthanna.
Picture: Cpl Chris Hargeaves
Defence Secretary Des Browne welcomed this development, saying:
"This is a milestone for the people of Al Muthanna and their Provincial Council, and also for the people of Iraq.
"It is a proud day for the Iraqi Security Forces and the Iraqi government. They have worked hard to get here and have shown a lot of determination. Today takes them one step nearer to assuming full responsibility for their own security and to building a stable and democratic future for their country."
Al Muthanna is the first of four British lead provinces in the South where security has been handed over to the civil authorities.
The decision to hand over security responsibility was taken by the Iraqi government in close consultation with the coalition. It was based on a joint assessment that the handover conditions – including level of threat and capability of the Iraqi security forces and national and provincial government - had been established on the ground.
The Iraqi security forces in Al Muthanna number over 5,000 and have already assumed much of the day-to-day responsibility for providing security. Coalition forces in the province – Australian and Japanese as well as UK – have largely focused on providing training and mentoring along with reconstruction efforts.
Mr Browne continued:
"I pay tribute to the UK, Japanese and Australian troops for their role in training and mentoring the Iraqi security forces and their important contribution towards the reconstruction effort."
To formalise the handover, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the General Officer Commanding Multi-National Division South-East (GOC MNDSE), Major General John Cooper, and Mohammed-Ali Hassan Abbas al-Hassani, Governor of the Provincial Council. Representatives of the Iraq national government, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development also attended the event.
Commenting on today's developments, General Cooper said:
"We were and are dedicated to building a strong, democratic country for the people of Iraq. Today is an important step towards completing that objective."
