BAGHDAD, September 10, SPA -- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told lawmakers Monday that Iraqi forces were not ready to takeover security from the U.S. military across the country. «We still need more efforts and time in order for ourarmed forces to be able to take over security in all Iraqiprovinces from the coalition forces that helped us in agreat way in fighting terrorism,» he told parliament. Al-Maliki made the comment hours before the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, and top U.S. commanderGen. David Petraeus were to appear in the U.S. Congress todeliver reports on Iraq's progress amid a debate over callsto start bringing American troops home. The two were widely expected to maintain that this year'stroop buildup has reduced violent attacks in Baghdad andargue for more time to restore security, the Associated Press reported. Al-Maliki said that violence had dropped 75 percent in theBaghdad area since the U.S. began pouring in additionaltroops at the start of the year. He gave no figures. «The key to reconstruction, economic development andimproving peoples' standard of living is security,» hesaid. «We have achieved success in preventing Iraq from goinginto sectarian war and I am fully confident that nationalreconciliation is our only way that takes Iraq intosafety,» al-Maliki said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/481522