Iraqi Vice President Adil Abdal Mahdi said Thursday that his government's milary forces would take over security responsibilities for Baghdad by the end of 2007, urging continued international assistance to stabilize the country.

Mahdi, who attended Friday's international compact with Iraq at UN headquarters, said that the national unity government in Baghdad is faced with three major issues this year: Security, politics and the economy.

He said that the security plan now being implemented for Baghdad is comprehensive.

"Iraqi forces will take over in full the security of Baghdad by the end of 2007," he said.

"We hope to continue to receive international assistance to rebuild Iraq, and we hope to set a date and place to finalize the compact," Mahdi said.

About 90 governments and banking institutions had registerd to attend the international compact with Iraq on Friday, which was expected to generate new fundings for the recnstruction and recovery of the country.
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