Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Thursday, 24 May 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 June 2007. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 June 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if she will make a statement on the security situation in Iraq.

Answer: The security situation varies across Iraq. Sectarian violence and attacks by terrorist groups represent the biggest challenge around Baghdad. In the south, the most serious problem is competition among Shi ‘i militias and criminal gangs. In Basra most attacks are against coalition forces. In provinces where the Iraqi authorities have assumed responsibility, they have shown themselves capable of dealing with security challenges. We continue to support them in developing their security capability.

Secondary information