Iraq’s PM discusses U.S. support for Iraqi troops with U.S. Defense Secretary

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq ’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has discussed American military support for the Iraqi troops in supplies and training, with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, a statement by Maliki’s office reported on Tuesday.   “Maliki has received at his office on Monday the new visiting U.S. Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, with whom he discussed means for supporting the Iraqi troops with U.S. supplies and training,” the statement stressed.   The statement, meanwhile, had confirmed the progress of the Iraqi Armed Forces, saying “they are able to reach any target that threatens the security and stability of the country.”   “The final decision regarding the presence of the American forces in Iraq after the final date, decided for their departure according to the Strategic Security Agreement, signed between Baghdad and Washington , will be decided in a collective decision by the Iraqi political forces and the Parliament,” the statement pointed out.   On his part, the statement quoted the U.S. Defense Secretary as having expressed “his country’s readiness to support the Iraqi troops with necessary expertise and military training they need, which they will get according to the armament contracts, agreed upon between both sides,” reiterating his “country’s support for the Iraqi government’s efforts to safeguard security and stability all over Iraq.”   SKH (IT)