Bush hails new milestone in training Iraqi forces

WASHINGTON: US President George W Bush on Saturday hailed what he saw as a new milestone in US efforts to form a viable Iraqi security force, pointing out that for the first time since the beginning of the war, Iraqi troops and police now outnumber US forces in the country. The statement came a day after the Pentagon announced that the number of “trained and equipped” members of the Iraqi security forces had now exceeded 155,000, while US troop strength went below 140,000 this week following the departure of more units from the country. “Today, more than 150,000 Iraqi security forces have been trained and equipped, and for the first time, the Iraqi army, police, and security forces outnumber US forces in Iraq,” Bush said in his weekly radio address. He said that as Iraqis assume increasing responsibility for the stability of their own country, their security forces are becoming more self-reliant and taking on greater responsibilities in combating insurgents. afp

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