Talabani says Iraq seeks to build developed army

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said on Monday that Iraq seeks to build a developed army with a defending principle to protect Iraq and its borders, according to a presidential statement. This came during Talabani’s meeting General Michael Barbero, the deputy director of the Regional Operations on the Joint Staff commissioned with training Iraqi forces. “President Talabani asserted during the meeting the importance of the US support for the Iraqi forces in the terms of training, consultation and arming,” said the statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “We are looking forward to built a developed army with a defending principle for protecting Iraq and securing its borders, meanwhile defending the great achievements that have been gained following the liberation from dictatorship,” the president added. On his part, General Barbero updated President Talabani on what have been achieved as a result of the encouraging cooperation between the Iraqi and American forces. SH (P)/SR 2