Iraqi forces formally took over security responsibility for southern Dhi Qar province on Thursday from Italian forces, making it the second of Iraq's 18 provinces to be handed over to local control. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki thanked Italian Defense Minister Arturo Parisi for his country's help. Italy has about 1,600 troops in the country, mostly in Dhi Qar's capital of Nasiriyah, and that force is expected to be withdrawn by year's end. «The Italian contingent is going back. The mission is accomplished _ the security of the province is in your hands,» Parisi was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
