NATO announces the end of its mission of training in Iraq

NATO announced yesterday that it will put an end to its mission of training of Iraqi forces on 31 December, when it ends the current mandate.

"An agreement to extend this successful program has proved impossible despite the negotiations carried out in weeks", explained in a press release the Secretary general of the Atlantic Alliance, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

According to various sources, the contacts between the Organization and the authorities in Baghdad to continue the operation of training were blocked by the refusal of Iraq to grant legal immunity to troops international.

This year, United States already announced the total withdrawal of its troops in Iraq after the failure of talks to troops enjoyed immunity, to which Baghdad denied.

Despite announcing the end of the mission, NATO stressed yesterday that remains "fully committed" to continue to cooperate with Iraq.

"We are" u000a"determined to build on the successes and the spirit of our mission of training to further strengthen our partnership and our political relationship with Iraq", said Rasmussen.

The Danish politician recalled that peace and stability in the country were "beneficial for the whole of the international community".

The Mission of NATO in Iraq was launched in 2004 at the request of the Iraqi authorities and is considered "a success" by the Alliance.

"Our trainers can be very proud that they have achieved during the past seven years, contributing to the ability of Iraq security and helping to develop more sustainable and multi-ethnic forces", he pointed out yesterday Rasmussen.

According to data of the Organization, the Mission has trained more than 5,000 military personnel and more than 10,000 policemen in Iraq and has offered to the country more than 115 million euros in equipment military.

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