"We hope to have a sizeable Iraqi police force within the next two weeks to take action and enforce law and order," said Lieutenant Colonel Alan King from the 422 Civil Affairs Battalion of the US army.

"We want to bring Baghdad into a safe and secure environment, but we want the Iraqi police to rule in law and order, and not in tyranny and oppression like it did under the previous Saddam Hussein regime," he said.

King was speaking after holding a meeting called by the Iraqi National Congress coalition and a group of Baghdad police departments commanders at the Palestine Hotel where the US troops maintain a headquarters.

King said the army civil affairs battalion, headed by Major General Buford Blount, was responsible for the civilian infrastructure, including security, water and electricity.

SPACE.WIRE