Iraqi forces 'ready to take control next year'

08/11/2005 - 16:20:42
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said today his country’s forces should be ready to begin taking over from coalition troops around the end of next year.

Talabani, who spoke to reporters following a meeting with Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, also reiterated that the decision to withdraw foreign troops from Iraq should be made after consultation with and agreement from Iraqi authorities.

“Toward the end of 2006, our forces should be able to gradually replace coalition forces,” Talabani said.

He said that “war is not the best way, but it was the only way to topple Saddam Hussein.”

Talabani is on a week-long visit to Italy, which includes talks with the country’s top officials and a meeting at the Vatican with Pope Benedict XVI.