22 August, 2010
Hashimi asserts that Iraq would Not use foreign troops to maintain security after the withdrawal of other Americans
Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi on Sunday that his country would not use again by foreign troops to maintain security after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.
Hashemi said that the Iraqis were out of demand from others to help them in maintaining security and stability in the sense that there was no intention for the Iraqis to rely on any foreign forces in the future.
Hashimi said that the country self-reliant in building the Iraqi armed forces to meet the needs of security and national defense, calling for re-arming of Iraq, including the balance of power in the region, "which is approaching some of its entry into the nuclear club."
Hashemi stressed the need for the country's national army and advanced to meet the challenges of terrorism and foreign greed.
He noted that the role of neighboring countries falls under the impact of regional and international personnel in the Iraqi scene, which is beset by the interests and roles are no longer hidden on one.
Hashemi stressed that the responsibility of the Iraqis is to develop a draft national political role independent of the outside aimed at the normalization of the internal situation and the formation of the government as soon as possible.
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Iraq to seek no foreign military assistance after US withdrawal: Al-Hashimi
Kuwait News Agency - 23 August, 2010
Iraqi Vice President and leading member of the Iraqiya List Tareq Al-Hashimi said Sunday his government would not seek any help from foreign military forces to stabilize the country after the pullout of the US troops.
"The Iraqis have emerged from the stage of relying on the assistance of others to maintain the stability and security of the country. This means that we'll no longer depend on any foreign forces in the future," according to a statement issued by Al-Hashimi's office.
"The focus is now on how to rebuild our own military forces to meet the needs of national defense and security," the statement underlined.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi leader called for providing the Iraqi army with the necessary military equipment in order to restore the regional balance of power at a time when some countries of the region are on the verge of joining the nuclear club.
"Iraq is in need of a powerful army which is modern in terms of its troops and equipment in order to be able to face up to the risks of terrorism and hostile designs," he argued.
"The neighboring countries influence the Iraqi political landscape and play regional and international roles in the formation of the new Iraqi government. They aim, no question, to have a clout on the coming government with a view to serving their interests," he underscored.
He highlighted the responsibility of the Iraqi politicians for working out what he called "a national political project" independently from any foreign influences, normalizing the domestic situation, and forming a new government as early as possible.
As of today, Iraq is free from any foreign combat forces as the US combat forces pulled out as per the provisions of the US-Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
