Pat Dollard

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Iraq’s Version Of AP:

Baghdad, Feb 15, (VOI)- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said on Friday that the Baghdad’s law-imposing security plan “Fardh al-Qanoon” was very strong in hunting down al-Qaeda elements, asserting it achieved great successes.

During a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the Operation law-imposing in Baghdad, the Iraqi premier said “today we celebrate the achievements realized by our armed forces, security authorities and citizens.”

The Iraqi government, backed by Multi-National Force (MNF) troops, has launched Fardh al-Qanoon security plan in February 2007 with the aim of fighting gunmen in Baghdad and its environs.

The premier hailed all efforts exerted to fight al-Qaeda in Iraq armed group, which, according to the premier, try to break out riots in the country.

“We have the right to pound of our soldiers who fight enemies on the ground,” al-Maliki said.

“I really appreciate the role played by the first commander of the Fardh al-Qanoon lieutenant General Aboud Qanbar and other Iraqi officers who left no stone unturned to render this operation a success,” he added.

“I thanked them for not allowing politicizing the security operation as well as all political powers that respected and supported the soldier in the field. I also thank Commander of US forces in Iraq General David Petraeus and other foreign troops in our country who came to support us in the face of terrorism,” the premier also said.

“The national reconciliation has succeeded in boosting the national unity,” he noted.

Al-Maliki laid a wreath at the monument of the Unknown Soldier during the ceremony, attended by interior and defense ministers and a number of senior officials.