Iraqi forces ready to take control in 18 months

Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki says he believes Iraqi forces will be capable of taking over security around the country within the next 18 months.

However, he did not mention how long he thought it would be before coalition forces left the country.

In a written statement, Al Maliki said: "Our forces are capable of taking over the security in all Iraqi provinces within a year-and-a-half.

The statement also acknowledged that the Iraqi security forces needed more recruits, training and equipment.

The Prime Minister said that there should be around 273,000 armed and police force recruits by the end of 2006.