Dubai: The Iraqi authorities, after formally taking control of the security of Basra from British troops on Sunday, vowed not to allow anyone to threaten the stability of the province.
Security of the southern town which has been facing a power struggle between rival Shiite groups is vital, said a government spokesperson.
Speaking to Gulf News hours after the official handover ceremony, spokesperson Ali Dabbagh said, "The government will not allow the differences and power struggle in some of the southern provinces [including Basra] to take an armed dimension or the form of military action.
Rule of law
"The government will face any attempt [to endanger Basra's security] with all firmness, and it is obligated to impose the rule of law," Dabbagh added.
Basra has been witnessing an increasing internal Shiite power struggle. Basra is the fourth and final province under British control since the 2003 invasion to be handed over to the Iraqis.
"This is one of the main achievements of the National Unity government. ... our biggest challenge is to maintain the security in Basra," Iraq's national security adviser Muwaffaq Al Rubaie said at the handover ceremony.
While stressing the ability of the Iraqi troops to control the security in Basra, Dabbagh declined to give the number of Iraqi troops expected to be deployed in the southern city.
"We consider the number of the troops deployed in tense areas as a security secret."
