Awwal 18, 1432 H / April 22, 2011, SPA -- Iraq's prime minister has told the top U.S. military officer that Iraqi forces are able to maintain security in their own country. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki made the remark during a late Thursday meeting with Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, as AP reported. Mullen's visit comes as U.S. and Iraqi officials are trying to decide what, if any, U.S. troop presence should remain in Iraq after the end of this year. An agreement between both countries stipulates that all American forces are to leave by Dec. 31. A statement released by the premier's office says Al-Maliki told Mullen that Iraqi security forces are able to «take the responsibility, to maintain the security.»
