Iraqi Army receives Najaf military base – sources

NAJAF / IraqiNews.com: The 8th Iraqi Division Commander announced today that Najaf‘s military base was handed over today from the U.S. army.  General Qais Khalaf told IraqiNews.com that the Iraqi army has the ability to preserve the law in Najaf.  The American Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) was stationing in the base, but left it seven days ago.  The U.S. base is situated in southern part of the city, near Najaf International Airport.  The U.S. army in the base was the target of many attacks by unknown armed groups.  The U.S. forces are supposed to leave Iraq by the end of this year according to the agreement signed between the two countries in 2008. RM (TS)/SR 715