US commander backs Iraqi PM after criticism

BAGHDAD, Sep 29 (Reuters) The commander of US forces in Iraq issued an unusual statement declaring support for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki today, after news media quoted senior US military officials criticising the government.

As violence in Iraq worsens, military and civilian officials in the US-led Coalition in Iraq have been expressing concern over the past week that Mr Maliki has failed to rein in death squads or stop corruption in his elected, unity government.

''Recent news articles cite unnamed senior military officials as being critical of Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his government,'' the media office of the top commander in Iraq, General George Casey, said in a statement.

''These unattributed comments do not reflect the close partnership between the Government of Iraq and Multi-National Force-Iraq. We fully support the courageous and decisive efforts of the prime minister and the (government).'' It quoted Casey himself calling Maliki ''a determined, courageous leader taking on some very difficult issues''.

''I do believe he is very much up to the task.'' In four briefings over the past week attended by Reuters correspondents in Iraq, no official criticised Maliki personally and all stressed their support and understanding for his stated policy of disarming unofficial armed groups.

However, all also highlighted other problems with the government. One senior US military official said ''in every single ministry'' officials were siphoning state funds to ''fill the coffers of the political parties''.

Another senior US military official said elements in the Interior Ministry, responsible for the police, were still cooperating with Shi'ite sectarian death squads.

In both those cases, groups of journalists were invited to briefings by the US military, which stipulated in advance the condition that the senior officials not be named.

REUTERS BDP KP2105