Washington: The US military in Iraq must shift its focus toward helping the government restore basic services and boost the economy, while still holding onto fragile security improvements, the top US general in Iraq has said. In a letter to his troops, General David Petraeus said that even as the US begins to pull out forces from Iraq, the military must capitalise on the recent decline in attacks and casualties.

"While the progress in a number of areas is fragile, the security improvements have significantly changed the situation in many parts of Iraq," Petraeus said in the letter sent yesterday. "It is now imperative that we take advantage of these improvements by looking beyond the security arena and helping Iraqi military and political leaders as they develop solutions in other areas as well, solutions they can sustain over time."

Specifically, he said troops need to help the Iraqi government create jobs, revitalise markets, refurbish schools and restore critical services. The Iraqis have struggled to provide basic electricity and water - with Baghdad residents averaging a little more than 11 hours of electricity a day, according to a recent report.

At the same time, Petraeus said the US also must press the Iraqis to pass critical political reforms and help them develop their government agencies and aid returning refugees. He said that while progress toward political reform has been slow, leaders are starting to make some progress.

Source : PTI