Odierno says Iraqis ready to handle security

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Odierno says Iraqis ready to handle security
By Matthew Lee - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Aug 8, 2010 11:18:26 EDT

WASHINGTON — Iraq’s military is ready and able to take over security operations as the United States ends it combat role and prepares for a major troop withdrawal, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said Sunday.

Gen. Ray Odierno said Iraq’s military has “stepped up” to the challenge even as Iraqi politicians continue to squabble over the formation of a new government and new incidents of extremist violence are reported.

“We do believe they are ready to assume full operations in Iraq,” Odierno said on ABC’s “This Week.” He praised the Iraqi security forces for their professionalism and neutrality during the months of political uncertainty that followed elections earlier this year.

Odierno added, however, that it is critical for Iraq to form a government after five months of delay, warning that insurgents will try to take advantage of the political vacuum.

“The Iraqis have to understand the importance of forming the government,” he said.

Violence has dropped dramatically in Iraq since 2008, but insurgent attacks remain a daily occurrence, especially in the capital Baghdad, preventing the city from regaining a semblance of normalcy seven years after the insurgency broke out.