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Talabani hails Iraqi 88th anniversary of Army Day

Other News Materials 4 January 2009 19:38 (UTC +04:00)

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani hailed Sunday the 88th anniversary of the foundation of the Iraqi Army, and pledged to continue to build it on professional bases, Xinhua reported.

In his speech at a celebration that comes two days earlier than the usual date of Jan. 6 of the Iraqi Army Day, apparently for security reasons, Talabani hailed the Iraqi Army accomplishments in fighting terrorism and gaining the trust of the Iraqi people.

Talabani also praised the progresses achieved by the Iraqi government both inside and outside Iraq, saying such progresses " wouldn't be achieved by the government of Iraq without the willingness and hope for better future."

"We as a Presidency Council with the national unity government will offer every support to the Iraqi Army through programs that would build a powerful and professional army," Talabani said.

The Iraqi president visited the tomb of the unknown soldiers and attended a military parade in the Green Zone, which houses the Iraqi government offices and some foreign embassies.

The Iraqi government took over the security control of the zone from the U.S. forces at the first day of 2009, as part of a security agreement signed late last year between Iraq and the United States.

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