Iraq, Britain eye troop pullout as Blair visits

BAGHDAD - The new Iraqi prime minister said today his forces could be in charge in most of Iraq by December and officials with visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair said all foreign troops may be gone within four years.

But though he showed support for Nuri al-Maliki by flying in two days after a national unity government of Shi'ites, Sunnis and Kurds was sworn in, Blair would not be drawn on deadlines.

US President George W. Bush was also cautious on timing.

"What we want to see in Iraq is a sovereign and independent nation ... with Iraqis in control of every aspect, including their security," Blair told a news conference.

Maliki said Iraqis needed more training and equipment and conceded that the profusion of forces poses a risk of civil war, an outcome that would surely complicate any foreign withdrawal.

Yet he said two British-run southern provinces, Muthanna and Amara, could be handed to Iraqi security forces next month and a statement by the two governments issued afterwards said: "By the end of this year, responsibility for much of Iraq's territorial security should have been transferred to Iraqi control."

Only Baghdad and Anbar, where a US Marine was killed on Sunday, would be under US control by December, Maliki said.

Washington says it is too soon to commit to a timetable for pulling out its 133,000 troops. Bush said US officials would consult with Maliki to determine his needs, adding: "As the new Iraqi government grows in confidence and capability, America will play an increasingly supporting role."

Two bomb attacks killed nine people in Baghdad while Blair visited. At least 20 other violent deaths were reported around the country. Officials say dozens of people are killed daily.

Washington and London count on the tough-talking Shi'ite Maliki, who has pledged "maximum force against terrorists", and hope the participation of minority Sunnis who dominated under Saddam Hussein can defuse the rebellion in Anbar and elsewhere.

The installation after months of wrangling of Iraq's first full government since the 2003 invasion has focused attention on plans for pulling out foreign troops, including 7000 Britons.

"It's been longer and harder than any of us would have wanted it to be, but this is a new beginning," said Blair, who has spent much political capital on the controversial war.

Bush said: "The unity government must now seize this moment."

A senior official with Blair said London hoped all combat troops would leave during the Iraqi government's four-year term. "The aim is to take Iraq to a position where the multinational force is able to withdraw during its period in office," he said, in the firmest such comment yet from one of the two main allies.

Security expert Magnus Ranstorp of the Swedish National Defence College said this plan appeared optimistic.

"I don't think it is entirely realistic that (Iraqi security forces) will become so effective in such a short time," he said.

Overall control of the "battle space" is likely to remain in the hands of the high-tech US command for some time, even if Iraqis patrol the streets. Iraqi forces' cohesion in the face of communal violence may also need testing before a final pull-out.

Maliki is keen to show Iraqis he can bring independence and security but acknowledged 325,000 Iraqi troops and police due to be recruited by December need further training and equipment.

In a sign of the intensity of sectarian disputes, Maliki has yet to name interior and defence ministers. He hopes to do so in the coming days.

A senior political source said negotiators have agreed that all previous nominees are now out of the running.

Accusations that Shi'ite-led police have been running murder and kidnap squads have poisoned communal relations, particularly since the widespread bloodletting and refugee crisis following the bombing of a Shi'ite shrine three months ago on Monday.

"Weapons should be in the hands of the government," Maliki said. "Otherwise this will lead to ... civil war."

One root of tension is the uneven distribution of Iraq's oil reserves, the world's third biggest.

New Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani said he would stamp strict control from Baghdad over the oil sector - setting him on a collision course with regional leaders among fellow Shi'ites, and the Kurds.

Shahristani, a nuclear scientist jailed and tortured by Saddam, also vowed to stamp out corruption and mount a massive production drive to boost exports and bring Iraqis new wealth.

Iraqis desperately want their new government to succeed. But many doubt its chances of halting the bloodshed and fear.

"Does it matter who is in power? How can they protect us when they can be killed themselves?" said Mudhafar Naeem, a Shi'ite baggage handler at Baghdad's heavily guarded airport.

Close to where Blair and Maliki met, Saddam was again on trial for his life on charges of crimes against humanity.

The hearing began in uproar when guards manhandled a Lebanese woman defence attorney from the court.

Among witnesses, one of Saddam's half-brothers spoke in defence of the former president and another half-brother who is in dock alongside him.

- REUTERS