Baghdad: Iraq's new Prime Minister Iyad Allawi announced a deal today (Jun 7, 2004) to disband militias and have most members join Iraqi security forces or re-enter civilian life by the beginning of 2005.

"I am happy to announce today the successful completion of negotiations on the nationwide transition and reintegration of militias and other Armed forces previously outside of State control," Allawi said in a statement.

"The vast majority of such forces in Iraq about 100,000 armed individuals will enter either civilian life or one of the State security services, such as the Iraqi Armed forces, the Iraqi police service, or the internal security services of the Kurdish regional Government."