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Odierno: Iraqis ready to control security

WASHINGTON — The top U.S. commander in Iraq says he believes that the recent increase in violence there may end up hurting the extremists who are behind the attacks.

He also said that he believes Iraqi forces are ready to take over when American combat troops pull out of Baghdad and other cities by Tuesday.

Gen. Ray Odierno, appearing on two Sunday talk shows, says that overall stability remains good in Iraq as the U.S. prepares to meet a deadline for withdrawing forces from major cities.

Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” Odierno says the attacks ahead of that pullout are aimed at diverting attention from the progress made by Iraqi security forces as well as local and national government.

Looking to the future, Odierno says that any instability is most likely to stem from unresolved political issues such as relations between Arabs and Kurds and the question of reconciliation among various religious and political factions.

Speaking on CNN, Odierno says he thinks it’s the right time for the U.S. withdrawal and for Iraqis to take responsibility for security.

Odierno says U.S. troops still will be training and advising Iraqi forces and Americans will be conducting operations outside Iraqi cities after the deadline.

He says he doesn’t think the pullout will put U.S. troops more at risk. He says there will be good coordination with Iraqi troops and U.S. intelligence operations will continue.

The withdrawal is part of a security agreement that calls for all American troops to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.