LOC21:09
18:09 GMT
BAGHDAD, Nov 21 (KUNA) -- Undersecretary at the Iraqi Interior Ministry
Adnan Al-Asadi on Wednesday said that the Ministry's internal affairs
directorate has discharged, within the past few years, some 18,000 of its
staff as part of its reform process.
Al-Asadi's remark came during a press conference he held alongside with
Iraqi Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Babaker Zebari, Multi-National
Security Transition Command in Iraq Lieutenant General James Dubik, and
Multi-National Force's Strategic Effects Director Major General Kevin Bergner,
where all provided an operational update on the situation Iraq.
The Ministry has increased five times in volume, where a number of 56
emergency squadrons were allocated in all provinces, in addition to police
forces, Al-Asadi said, adding that such expanded capacity has become the first
line of defense in Iraq.
Responding to a question about violations committed by foreign security
firms in the country, Al-Asadi said that these firms work under the Coalition
authority, yet should any of these firms infringe the Iraqi law, it would be
penalized.
Regarding border security, the Iraqi official noted that the Ministry had
deployed some 40,000 police personnel on borders with neighboring countries,
in addition to 500 check points in efforts to control borders.
The Al-Qaem Entrance opening recently took place, and it would provide more
security and a boost to Iraqs economy, Al-Asadi noted, adding that there
would be an increase in commerce flow between Baghdad, Anbar province and
Syria. (end)
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