BAGHDAD — Iraq and the United States have signed an agreement
on the division of security responsibility.
Officials said Iraqi and U.S. representatives have delineated areas of
responsibility around Baghdad and its environs. They said most of the city
center would be taken over by the Iraqi military, with the U.S. Army
providing support along the perimeters of the capital.
The agreement was signed on March 1 by Iraqi Defense Minister Hazem
Shaalan and the U.S. Army, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said the accord delineated the
areas and responsibilities of the Iraq Army as well as the new deployment
zone of the U.S. military.
The Iraqi takeover of security responsibility in much of Baghdad has not
reduced insurgency attacks in the capital. On Thursday, at least five Iraqi
police officers were killed when two car bombs exploded near the Interior
Ministry in Baghdad. Over the last week, Baghdad has been rocked by nearly
daily car bombings.
For his part, Shaalan expressed confidence that the Iraqi military and
security forces would be able to quell the insurgency in Baghdad,
particularly Haifa Street. Haifa Street has regarded as the stronghold of
the pro-Saddam Hussein insurgency in the Iraqi capital.
At a news conference following the signing, Shaalan acknowledged Syrian
cooperation against the Sunni insurgency. He attributed the arrest of
Saddam's half-brother, Sabawi Ibrahim, to his arrest and extradition by
Syria.
"Recently a form of cooperation has begun and, truth be told, Sabawi was
seized through cooperation with the Syrian side," Shaalan said. "There will
also be cooperation in the coming days concerning the remaining group."
Shaalan also said Syria was also responsible for the arrest of aides to
Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi. He said he expected the surrender of leading Sunni
insurgents to Iraqi authorities.
In Washington, the leading U.S. commander in the Middle East predicted
the capture of Al Zarqawi. U.S. Central Command chief Gen. John Abizaid told
the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that Al Zarqawi's network
was ridden with "treason within his own organisation."
"His days in Iraq are numbered," Abizaid said on the last of two days
of testimony to the committee.
