US turns over control of 12th Iraqi province

BABYLON – The United States relinquished control of a southern province that includes Sunni areas once known as the “triangle of death,” handing security responsibility to the Iraqi government yesterday.

In the capital, where insurgent attacks continue nearly daily, a car bomber targeted a government minister’s convoy, killing at least 13 people. Babil is the 12th of 18 Iraqi provinces to be placed under Iraqi control and a sign of the improving security.US forces will remain in the area to assist the Iraqis when needed.At a transfer ceremony held near the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon, Lt.Gen.Lloyd Austin, the No.2 U.S.commander in Iraq, said security gains have been remarkable – with the number of attacks falling about 80 per cent from an average of 20 per week a year ago.But he cautioned that “while the enemies of Iraq are down, they are not necessarily defeated.”With Babil’s handover to the Iraqi government, the only province left under US control in southern Iraq is Wasit, a rural desert region that borders Iran and has been a conduit for the smuggling of Iranian-backed Shiite militants and weapons into Iraq.Wasit will be transferred to Iraqi authorities on October 29, said Major General Michael Oates, US commander south of Baghdad.Other provinces that remain to be handed over are north of the capital, where violence has been slower to decline after insurgents fled security crackdowns in Baghdad and surrounding areas.Salim al-Musilmawi, Babil’s provincial governor, credited tribal leaders and Sunnis who turned against al-Qaida in Iraq in a US-funded revolt with the downturn in violence.”Today’s security handover is the fruit of the victory over al Qaeda,” he said at the ceremony, which included a brass band, marching army squadrons and a simulated riot response by an armoured police unit.Iraq’s Cabinet decided earlier this week to ask the United States for changes in a draft agreement that would keep the US military here for three more years, as Shiite lawmakers warned the deal stood little chance of approval as it stands.The government faced pressure from both sides yesterday.Britain called for the speedy completion of deals with it and the United States, whose UN mandates – and legal basis – for a military presence in Iraq expire on December 31.Iran, however, urged Iraqis to reject the deal.Iraqis “are able to provide security in Iraq and block the influence of foreigners,” said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.He made the remarks in a meeting with the leader of Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region, according to his official Web site.Oates said Tehran was “meddling in Iraq’s politics” and warned that Iran may use proxy groups to affect upcoming provincial elections that the US believes are essential for national reconciliation.The vote is slated to be held by January 31.”We will see an increase in tension that probably will result in some violence,” Oates said in Babylon, warning that Iran-backed militants may intimidate voters or even assassinate candidates.”It’s going to be tough enough to make the transition in this election,” he added.”Iran just makes it tougher.”Nampa-APBabil is the 12th of 18 Iraqi provinces to be placed under Iraqi control and a sign of the improving security.US forces will remain in the area to assist the Iraqis when needed.At a transfer ceremony held near the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon, Lt.Gen.Lloyd Austin, the No.2 U.S.commander in Iraq, said security gains have been remarkable – with the number of attacks falling about 80 per cent from an average of 20 per week a year ago.But he cautioned that “while the enemies of Iraq are down, they are not necessarily defeated.”With Babil’s handover to the Iraqi government, the only province left under US control in southern Iraq is Wasit, a rural desert region that borders Iran and has been a conduit for the smuggling of Iranian-backed Shiite militants and weapons into Iraq.Wasit will be transferred to Iraqi authorities on October 29, said Major General Michael Oates, US commander south of Baghdad.Other provinces that remain to be handed over are north of the capital, where violence has been slower to decline after insurgents fled security crackdowns in Baghdad and surrounding areas.Salim al-Musilmawi, Babil’s provincial governor, credited tribal leaders and Sunnis who turned against al-Qaida in Iraq in a US-funded revolt with the downturn in violence.”Today’s security handover is the fruit of the victory over al Qaeda,” he said at the ceremony, which included a brass band, marching army squadrons and a simulated riot response by an armoured police unit.Iraq’s Cabinet decided earlier this week to ask the United States for changes in a draft agreement that would keep the US military here for three more years, as Shiite lawmakers warned the deal stood little chance of approval as it stands.The government faced pressure from both sides yesterday.Britain called for the speedy completion of deals with it and the United States, whose UN mandates – and legal basis – for a military presence in Iraq expire on December 31.Iran, however, urged Iraqis to reject the deal.Iraqis “are able to provide security in Iraq and block the influence of foreigners,” said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.He made the remarks in a meeting with the leader of Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region, according to his official Web site.Oates said Tehran was “meddling in Iraq’s politics” and warned that Iran may use proxy groups to affect upcoming provincial elections that the US believes are essential for national reconciliation.The vote is slated to be held by January 31.”We will see an increase in tension that probably will result in some violence,” Oates said in Babylon, warning that Iran-backed militants may intimidate voters or even assassinate candidates.”It’s going to be tough enough to make the transition in this election,” he added.”Iran just makes it tougher.”Nampa-AP