BAGHDAD, Nov. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The first batch of 6,000 Iraqi quick reaction forces graduated from a southern military base on Wednesday, a US military spokesman said.

    The graduates were trained as quick reaction forces to launch defensive and offensive operations in emergencies all over Iraq, the spokesman said.

    A graduation ceremony was held in the base in Nu'maniyah, some 140 km south of Baghdad, and attended by delegations of the Iraqi Defense Ministry and the US military.  Enditem