Basra’s navy to receive security duties by end of June

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: Basra’s navy is completing preparations for the handover of security responsibilities from U.S. forces by the end of the current month, the commander of the Navy in the province said on Sunday. “The Iraqi Navy is completely ready to receive security duties from the Multi-National Force (MNF) by the end of this month…,” Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Jawad Kadhem told IraqiNews.com news agency. A few days ago, an official spokesperson for the Iraqi government, Ali al-Dabbagh, said that Iraqi forces will protect foreigners and personnel working for embassies and diplomatic institutions in the country after the troop pullout. On November 27, 2008, the Iraqi Parliament passed a security pact with the United States, known as the Status-of-Forces Agreement (SOFA), 10 days after the Iraqi cabinet approved it with an overwhelming majority. U.S. combat forces are scheduled to leave the Iraqi cities and districts by the end of June within preparations for withdrawal from Iraq by August 2010, to be completed by the end of 2011 commensurate with U.S. President Barack Obama’s plan. SS (S)/SR 1