Wassit receives security file amid tight measures

WASSIT / IraqiNews.com: Wassit province on Wednesday received its security file from the Multinational forces amid tight security measures and official ceremonies, attended by National Security Adviser Muwafaq al-Rubaei, Wassit Governor Latief Hamad al-Tarfa and a number of government’s officials. Al-Rubaei announced the hand over of the security file and the transfer of the security responsibility to the civilian authorities in Wassit, which became the 13th province to receive the security file. “The hand over of the security file in Wassit is a clear indication of Iraqi security forces’ capabilities and their ability to maintain security in Iraq,” al-Rubaei said. He pointed out that next weeks will witness the hand over of the security file of Kirkuk and Salah el-Din. A Shiite province, Wassit, 180 km south of Baghdad, is in the east of the country. Its name comes from the Arabic word meaning “middle,” as it lies along the Tigris about midway between Baghdad and Basra. Its major cities include the capital, al-Kut, and al-Hayy. Prior to 1976 it was known as Kut Province. SH (S) 1