U.S. Army: Mosul in 'hold-and-build stage'

TIKRIT, Iraq, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The outgoing top U.S. commander in northern Iraq said Monday the troubled city of Mosul is being held and rebuilt by coalition and Iraq forces.

Army Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of Multi-National Division-North and the 1st Armored Division, spoke from Tikrit by teleconference to reporters in Washington.

Mosul is the third largest city in Iraq, but has been the scene of numerous bombings and guerrilla attacks that destroyed much of its infrastructure, and Hertling concedes the public lacks confidence in local authority.

Asked how much of Mosul do coalition and Iraqi security forces control, Hertling said, "Well, I would like to say we control all of Mosul. We have cleared the entire city several times. We are in the hold-and-build stage of Mosul."

Hertling said the city is short "about 7,000 or 8,000 trained policemen. ... But we're attempting to help them with a training academy." The general said the academy graduated its first class of 1,000 during the weekend, and will graduate another 1,000 each month.

"So, over time, the police will take control of the city, like good police should do," Hertling said. "But most importantly, what's interesting in Mosul is the ability of the provincial government to build and renew the city. That's what's sometimes lacking in the eyes of the people of Mosul. They don't see a capable government within that city restructuring."