Iraq’s deputy prime minister Barham Salih met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London. Salih expressed hope that Iraqi forces could soon take over more responsibilities.

• Barham Salih: “When we assumed sovereignty two years ago, the level of Iraqi troops and policemen were minimal. Today we are 300,00 strong in the police and in the military. They are getting better training and we are establishing more units. We hope that by the end of this year half of Iraqi provinces will come under Iraqi command.”