BAGHDAD, Iraq - Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Wednesday he believed Iraqi forces were capable of taking over security around the country within 18 months, but he did not mention a timetable for U.S.-led coalition forces to leave.

"Our forces are capable of taking over the security in all Iraqi provinces within a year-and-a-half," al-Maliki said in a written statement, in which he acknowledged that security forces needed more recruits, training and equipment.

His comments came as Sunni Arab and Shiite political leaders expressed hope that compromise candidates would be found to head the defense and interior ministries by Saturday.

A firm hand guiding the two ministries could lay the groundwork for shifting security responsibilities from U.S.-led forces to the Iraqi army and police. U.S. officials have conceded that could take longer than Iraqi officials wish.

The violence in Iraq and the need for coalition forces will be a primary topic when Bush and Blair meet Thursday.

"I do not believe that you're going to hear the president or the prime minister say we're going to be out in one year, two years, four years," White House spokesman Tony Snow said. "I just don't think you're going to get any specific prediction of troops withdrawals."

Iraq's armed forces and police number about 254,000 and should reach about 273,000 by year's end. That, according to al-Maliki, is when "responsibility for much of Iraq's territorial security should have been transferred to Iraqi control" - except for Anbar province and Baghdad, two of the most violent areas.

Al-Maliki and Blair said Monday that Iraqi security forces would start assuming full responsibility for some provinces and cities next month. They declined to set a date for a coalition withdrawal.

However, handing over security responsibilities to the Iraqis does not necessarily mean that significant numbers of U.S.-led forces will start returning home. Instead, plans call for them to move from cities to large coalition bases - where they will be on call if needed.

The Iraqi army needs to recruit at least 5,000 troops in Anbar, the western province that U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad acknowledged is not fully under coalition or Iraqi government control.

"I believe that parts of Anbar are under the control of terrorists and insurgents. But as far as the country as a whole is concerned, it is the coalition On May 24th, forces, along with Iraqi forces, who are in control," Khalilzad told CNN.

The U.S. Army has said it wants make up the shortfall in Anbar with locally recruited troops, but such a move probably will not be possible unless the Defense Ministry is controlled by a Sunni Arab.

"Negotiations are under way in order to reach a decision regarding the appointment of the ministers of defense and interior. Within the coming two days, the decision will be made," Adnan al-Dulaimi, head of the main Sunni Arab party, the Iraqi Accordance Front, told The Associated Press.

Sunni Arabs also have sought the ministry as a counterbalance to the Shiite-run Interior Ministry, which many members of the minority blame for failing to disband militias they say are responsible for sectarian death squads.

Al-Dulaimi said his coalition presented six Defense Ministry nominees for vetting and made it clear that Sunni Arabs want an interior minister "who is not linked to militias."

Shiite deputies said a seven-member selection committee failed to agree on a candidate but would keep meeting daily and hoped to make a choice by Saturday, the day before parliament convenes. The 275-member body will have to approve any candidates.

The U.N. Security Council approved a statement Wednesday welcoming the May 20 inauguration of the government and underlining the "high expectations" that it improve security, stability and human rights.

The council urged all governments to give more help to Iraq's government "at this crucial time" and called on its neighbors to "examine how they can reinforce their contribution."

On May 23rd, Coalition forces located and killed three al-Qaida associates in the vicinity of Yusifiyah May 23 while searching for a wanted al-Qaida terrorist.

The terrorists had been driving a vehicle containing grenades and small arms. One of the terrorists was wearing a suicide vest.

While progress continued in Yusifiyah, Coalition forces killed four more terrorists and detained two during operations east of Lake Thar Thar on May 23. Upon assault, two suspects immediately surrendered. Four others who attempted to engage the forces were killed.

Coalition Forces found Yemeni, Saudi Arabian, Tunisian, Sudanese and several Iraqi passports.

Isn't this exactly what the nay sayers said would not happen?? How in the world can people actually think this is not good news???