ON THE NET...
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=SYRIA
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=LEBANON
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"UN will not stop Syria sending weapons to Lebanon"
The Telegraph [UK] ^ | Aug. 27, 2006 | Harry De Quetteville and Michael Hirst
Posted on 08/28/2006 8:49:26 AM PDT by conservativecorner
Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=602
raqis to Take Control of Their Army, Air Force, Navy
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2006 The Iraqi government is slated to assume control of its soldiers, sailors and airmen sometime next month, a senior U.S. military officer told reporters in Baghdad today.
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense, through its joint headquarters in Baghdad, will assume operational control of the Iraqi army, as well as the countrys air force and navy, in early September, Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq, said at a news briefing.
This is a significant step in the Iraqi path to self-reliance and security, Caldwell said. What this means is that the Iraqi Ministry of Defense is prepared to begin assuming direct operational control over Iraqs armed forces.
Iraqs 3-year-old armed forces have been rebuilt from the ground up as a modern and effective fighting force, Caldwell said. Iraqi army divisions have fought alongside coalition forces under the commander of the Multinational Corps Iraq, he added. Coalition forces also have worked to train the new Iraqi army, which now stands at about 115,000 soldiers.
The transition of control of Iraqs armed forces to the Iraqi government should take several months, Caldwell said.
The 10 Iraqi army divisions eventually will come under the direct operational control of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, commander in chief of Iraqs armed forces, Caldwell said.
The majority of Iraqi (army) divisions will remain under coalition forces initially, Caldwell explained, and then be gradually transitioned into the Iraqi ground forces command.
"UN will not stop Syria sending weapons to Lebanon"
Heck, the UN is probably bringing them with, to sell to Lebanon.