U.S Must Hasten Weapons Supply Process, Says Iraq Prime Minister

Frustrated by the delays in the weapons supply from the U.S, the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has requested the Pentagon to speed up the transfer of weapons to Iraq. Earlier this year, Iraq was left to defend its airspace and borders as American troops withdrew after a decade of war. Prime Minister Al-Maliki made the statement in a meeting with Gen. James Mattis, the visiting head of U.S. Central Command and added that the central government would decide which arms purchases would be made after Kurdish complaints over the acquisition of F-16 warplanes. Al-Maliki added that “the policy of equipping should be federal and in accordance with what the federal government specifies is a priority and a need”. While the army is able to maintain internal security, Iraqi and American officials acknowledge it cannot protect Iraq’s airspace, borders or territorial waters. Iraq has agreed to acquire American military equipment worth more than $10 billion, including 36 F-16 warplanes, tanks, artillery, helicopters and patrol boats which are not delivered for years to the Iraq.