Iraqi forces receive Khour al-Amiya oil port from MNF

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi naval forces on Thursday received the strategic oil port of Khour al-Amiya from the Multi-National Force (MNF), according to a spokesman for the Iraqi army in Basra province. “Ceremonies to receive the port, (110 km) southwestern Basra, took place today (April 30) as attended by the Iraqi defense minister, the navy commander, the Basra operations room commander and officials from the U.S. and British military,” Col. Abbas al-Temimi told IraqiNews.com news agency. “Receiving responsibility for this port, one of the largest and most important in Iraq, expresses security stability thanks to Operation Saulat al-Forsan (Charge of the Knights) that was conducted in the spring of 2008 and indicated the developed performance of the Iraqi forces,” said Temimi. “Control of this port, a key oil outlet, would enable the Iraqi army to control all ports in the country,” he added. The oil-rich port city of Basra lies 590 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. AmR (P) 1