Iraq ready if US troops pull out - Maliki

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said today that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country when American troops leave “any time they want,” though he acknowledged the forces need further weapons and training.

The embattled prime minister sought to show confidence at a time when pressure in the US Congress is growing for a withdrawal and the Bush administration reported little progress had been made on the most vital of a series of political reforms it wants Maliki to carry out.