WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. Marine commandant says his forces in Iraq's once volatile western Anbar Province can be reduced, as the military moves to hand over control of the region to the Iraqis next week.Gen. James Conway told Pentagon reporters Wednesday that the two Marine regimental combat teams currently in Anbar would not be needed to maintain security there once the Iraqis take over, because violence has continued to drop.
The transfer has been delayed since late June due largely to worries it could set off unrest as well.
Reducing forces in Iraq, Conway said, is necessary in order to move any additional Marines into Afghanistan, where violence is on the rise.