Iraq says it "turned corner" in fighting insurgents

By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iraq's foreign minister told the U.N. Security Council on Friday that Iraqi and U.S.-led forces have "turned the corner" in battling a five-year insurgency, though the improvements were "fragile."

In a speech to the council, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said his government's security forces were better trained and equipped than ever. They now numbered nearly 600,000 and were protecting half of Iraq's 18 provinces.

"Their efforts have won them the trust and cooperation of the Iraqi people and, with the support of the multinational forces, they have turned the corner in the fight against the insurgency and terrorism in Iraq," Zebari said.

But he warned the council that Iraqi forces "still are short of being able to independently assume full responsibility for the maintenance of security in all Iraqi territory."

The U.N. mandate for the international forces in Iraq, the vast majority of which are from the United States, ends on December 31. Washington is negotiating a bilateral security agreement with Iraq to cover the period once the mandate expires, but Iraq has said talks on a security arrangement were deadlocked.

Asked if a deal would be struck, Zebari told reporters he was "hopeful because Iraq does need this agreement."

Iraq is also worried about a possible loss of protection against lawsuits from victims of Iraq's late dictator Saddam Hussein once the U.N. mandate expires. Such claims could become a serious financial burden for Iraq, diplomats say.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad spoke to reporters about this issue after the council meeting.

"There are several options, one of which is clearly to continue to provide protection (against claims)," he said.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said it was important to have a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign troops.

He added that any new U.S.-Iraq security deal should not "enshrine the indefinite presence of foreign troops in Iraq." That would create an "ever deepening rift in Iraqi society," which would undermine Iraq's political life and security, he said.

Russia, like France and Germany, opposed the March 2003 invasion of Iraq.

IMPROVED SECURITY

Khalilzad also spoke of an improved security situation five years after the U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam's government.

"It is clear that the recent improvements in the security situation throughout Iraq are significant," he said, adding that Baghdad had work to do to "sustain these gains."