Iraqi security forces strain budget, PM says

Iraq's prime minister says the number of Iraqi soldiers and police is straining the budget, hindering reconstruction projects.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says 74 percent of Iraq's $58 billion budget this year was used to pay the salaries and operations of Iraq's more than 640,000 security personnel.

He told a group of businessmen Wednesday that he thinks more of next year's budget should go to reconstruction rather than security, setting the stage for possible layoffs.

Low oil prices have forced Iraq to make deep spending cuts this year. It is also predicting a funding shortfall next year.

The news comes as the U.S. military says …