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Gen. Abizaid: U.S. Should Secure Iraq Power Transfer

Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, strongly advises any new Iraqi government not to ask American troops to leave until security is improved in the country. Abizaid adds he does not think Iraqi forces will be ready to maintain security on their own by June 30, the date when the United States hopes to transfer sovereignty back to the Iraqi people. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

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Eric Westervelt is a San Francisco-based correspondent for NPR's National Desk. He has reported on major events for the network from wars and revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa to historic wildfires and terrorist attacks in the U.S.