Anbar security transfer postponed

FALLUJAH, Iraq, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Iraqi security forces in western Anbar province delayed a transfer of responsibility from U.S. forces, who say the move would have "very little" effect.

"From a security point of view, if (provincial Iraqi control) happened tomorrow, very, very little would change because we're already there," said U.S. Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly, commander of Multi-National Forces-West.

U.S. military forces had delayed the transfer ceremony in early July, citing weather conditions, and top officials said economic concerns in the area may alter any future plans.

The U.S. military report says Iraqi leaders in Anbar have been reluctant to accept security responsibility for fear the security situation in the once-restive province would collapse in the absence of U.S. military support, Stars and Stripes, the official newspaper of the U.S. Armed Forces, reported Wednesday.

Faisal Hamad Khlaf, the mayor of the western town of Karm, said U.S. military forces should remain in the province "so that they will keep the security in the city."

Kelly, however, said his forces would remain on in a supervisory role following a handover of security to Iraqi forces.

"My efforts primarily are connecting the central government to the people of Anbar, and at the same time convincing the people of Anbar it's not a neglect of them by the government but just a new government learning how to be a government," he said.