"It's tough to take a standback role," says the 24-year-old Westpointer, as his soldiers patrol behind a group of Iraqi troops conducting a search and census operation in Al-Naherwa, a district in western Mosul.

"I want to be doing stuff and so do my men, but this is the way it's gonna be," adds the fresh-faced platoon leader from the 3rd Batallion 8th Cavalry regiment, part of the 3,500-strong US force based around Mosul.

American troops will no longer be allowed in Iraqi cities and major towns after June 30, under the terms of a landmark security accord signed between Baghdad and Washington last year.

Iraq's security forces have "been in the lead" since January 1, say US officers, in a stock line repeated regularly at media briefings in Baghdad.

The mantra is trotted out slightly less regularly in Mosul, however, a city where civilians, soldiers and policemen are still dying.

"VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device)," Wagner speaks into his radio, the second a loud blast marked the sound of a car bomb exploding only kilometres (miles) away, in a reminder that Iraq remains far from peaceful.

From July 1, Iraq's army and police will take sole responsibility on the streets, in a key test of the fledgling forces' abilities more than six years after the US-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

Across run-down Naherwa's litter-ridden streets, an Iraqi man raises a hand and invites the lieutenant across to ask when the neighbourhood's water shortage, a common problem across much of Iraq, will be tackled.

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease," replies Wagner, all the time keeping a close eye on an already bustling area made more busy by hundreds of children playing on the streets now that schools have closed for summer holidays.

Iraqi youths have recently thrown grenades at US forces in Mosul, and although Wagner's men are happy to play with smiling children, their commander eventually asks an Iraqi colleague to call an end to the fun.

A reply of "Inshallah" ("God willing") and friendly nod indicates the man has heard Wagner's reasoning but is not entirely convinced with the explanation that Naherwa will have to wait its turn for the taps to more than trickle.

The clock, though, is ticking urgently on the mission of US soldiers here.

Wagner and his contemporaries remain stoic about their role in Mosul, to which Al-Qaeda insurgents fled after being driven out of Baghdad and rebel hotspots such as Fallujah.

Across town on a similar mission with an Iraqi police unit, Lieutenant Joe Brown, from the same regiment as Wagner, explains that the US is trying to achieve an "enduring effect" after massive clearance operations last year.

"We have seen a drop-off in attacks and we put that down to the clearing operations," he says. "But we have tried very hard to build on that."

Speaking to a young Iraqi officer via an interpreter, Brown says such patrols are key to a sustained peace, a hopeful aim underscored by the shooting death of an 18-year-old man in a nearby street that same morning.

"Today we don't have a target but these patrols disrupt the enemy. They don't know why we are here and that is why it is important to be visible."

But Brown, a 30-year-old former airman who transferred to the army just two years ago, admits that the June 30 withdrawal presents issues for American soldiers, as well as increased responsibilities for Iraqis.

"On the one hand the guys (US) like not having to do all the heavy lifting," he says. "But our unit is going to be here for another six months and the last thing I want is for us to be stuck in camp all that time."

earlier related report
US urges Gulf states to support Iraq, counter Iran
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday that Gulf states needed to lend support to Iraq in the face of efforts by Iran to "destabilize" the Baghdad government.

"The embrace of Iraq by its fellow Gulf states will help contain the ambitions of Iran," Gates told a gathering of defense chiefs from Gulf states.

He accused Iran of helping groups attacking Iraqi government targets as part of a broad campaign to influence the direction of its western neighbor.

"Iran trains and supplies groups trying to destabilize the elected Iraqi government -- more often than not through violence and attacks on Iraqi security forces, government installations and officials," he said.

He said the United States was ready to help Gulf states counter possible threats from Iran but he said it was crucial for regional governments to engage with Iraq.

"As I have said before, the Iraqi people want to be your partners," he told the military officers.

"Given the challenges in the Gulf, and the reality of Iran, you should wish to be theirs."

The defense secretary acknowledged lingering bitterness among Arab states over the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, but said it was in the interest of regional powers to support the Baghdad government.

"I am aware that, in international affairs, old wounds do not heal easily," Gates said.

"However, if we look closely at Iraq's economic and political potential, it is clearly in the Gulf nations' strategic interest to support the new government and the people of Iraq."

Gulf governments should consider allowing Iraq to join regional organizations, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, and help Baghdad by sharing intelligence and improving border control efforts, Gates said.

He said that while Washington has tried to open a dialogue with Tehran, it also was working to protect the security interests of allies in the region and stop the spread of nuclear weapons.

"Where necessary, we will take action by conducting counter-terrorism operations; and sharing intelligence for the interdiction of illegal shipments of weapons or materiel," he said.

The conference of chiefs of defense included representatives from 11 countries, including Iraq.

Referring to the turmoil on the streets of Tehran, Gates said the dispute over the presidential election results should be settled "within Iran."

"Like you, we have watched the aftermath of the Iranian election with interest and concern," Gates said.

"While this is an issue that should be decided within Iran by the Iranian people, we firmly believe that the Iranian people deserve to have their voices heard free from violence and intimidation."

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