Abizaid Pressures Maliki to Disarm Militias

U.S. General John Abizaid met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and told him that Iraq needs to disarm militias and prove it is doing so.

And in a turn from the timetable debate in the United States, Abizaid asked Maliki to give him a timetable for Iraqi forces to take charge of Iraqi security. While General Casey has said it would take 12-18 months for Iraqis to take over, Maliki has said he would crush opposition in 6 months if he had full control over Iraqi forces.