US expects 5,000 security contractors in Iraq

In light of the high threat environment in Iraq over the past several years, US officials expect that in 2012 there will be approximately 5,000 security contractors there, a number that will decrease in ensuing years as security conditions improve, the US State Department said late Wednesday.The contractors will help protect US diplomatic presence around the country, and ensure U.S. capability "to interact successfully with the Iraqi government and people to build an enduring partnership of benefit to both countries and the region," said a statement released on Wednesday evening.The statement was released in response to a briefing question earlier in the day."We expect this number of security personnel to noticeably decrease in the following years as security conditions continue to improve, as they have done steadily since 2007," the department said.In addition, the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq will be part of US strategic engagement and partnership with Iraq, the statement said.This office will require additional security personnel to protect facilities and staff; the exact number and final disposition of these security requirements are still under review, it said."The United States is committed to an enduring partnership with Iraq, which can be a strong ally in a strategic region of the world critical to our national security," the statement said. "This administration has placed a priority in strengthening our partnership by maintaining a strong diplomatic presence on the ground in Iraq and is committed to ensuring the safety of the men and women who make up that presence." Utilizing security personnel to assist US diplomatic security officials in protecting Americans serving abroad is not a new practice; it has been part of civilian operations in Iraq and elsewhere in the past, and is an important component of security operations at many US embassies and consulates around the world, the statement noted."As Iraq further develops its democratic institutions and improves its security capacity, our security presence will be reduced, and operations will be comparable to other countries around the world where we have large missions and vital interests," the statement said.