US Army says Iraq work not over yet

Camp Victory, Iraq: Iraq's security forces must develop intelligence, battlefield medicine and logistics before they can stand on their own, the No 2 US commander in Iraq said.

In the rush to create a security force to guard Iraq against violence from insurgents, the US military has been providing the support networks needed to help the country's forces before the Americans leave by the end of 2011.

Lt General Lloyd Austin, commander of all ground forces in Iraq, said US troops now have to partner with Iraqis and work with them on a daily basis to provide the necessary additional training.

"Our intent is to make sure we have helped the Iraqis to have the right capacity, the right capability to handle the insurgent activity when we leave," Austin said.

Security pact

US forces will be operating under a new security agreement on January 1 that gives Iraqi authorities a role in approving and overseeing US military operations. It replaces a UN mandate that gives the US-led coalition sweeping powers to conduct military operations and detain people without charge if they were believed to pose a security threat. The new pact requires that US troops withdraw from Baghdad and other cities by the end of June and leave the country entirely by January 1, 2012.

Austin said American troops began the transition months ago, conducting more and more joint operations with Iraqi forces. "The reason we are doing them is that we knew this was coming many months ago," he said.

Iraqi forces are now responsible for security in 13 of the 18 provinces with coalition forces available for help if requested. Austin said US forces are moving as fast as possible to get the Iraqi security forces to a capable and competent level, but cautioned progress would take time. "We are in no hurry to race away and have things crumble on us," he said.

US and Iraqi officials acknowledge that the capabilities of Iraqi forces have been improving, but doubts persist about whether they have the support and discipline to succeed.

But Austin insists the drop in violence in Iraq has allowed the Iraqi army and police to get a foothold in neighbourhoods once considered violent.