Coalition To Return First Full Province Back To Iraqi Forces
Matthew Borghese - All Headline News Staff Writer Baghdad, Iraq (AHN) - When Coalition forces leave the Muthanna province, it will be the first section of Iraq to be responsible for its own security since the fall of the Hussein regime. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Rudy Wright, the director of strategic communications for the Coalition, congratulates the province's governor, saying, "Your promise and the promise of the people who live in this province represent the vision of unity, security and prosperity for which not only the people of Iraq are with you, but the people of the world are behind you." Gov. Mohammed-Ali Hassan Abbas al-Hassani replies, "On this occasion, I'd like to thank God for this gift and our people in this province - all our families, all our tribes, all our sheikhs, all our educated people and all our young people who stood with us... and the people who sacrifice - the police and the army - for us." According to the Pentagon, on June 19, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced the withdrawal of all coalition troops from the province. This includes British, Australian and Japanese troops. Despite alleged neglect under Saddam Hussein, Coalition partners such as the Japanese have donated more than $400 million to the province, and forces helped replace seven major bridges, built three new water treatment plants and refurbished nine water purification plants, built a major powerhouse, rehabilitated |
