Soldiers leaving new Iraq army in droves
Nearly half of the first battalion of the newly formed Iraq army has resigned over poor pay and conditions.
Around 300 of the 700-member battalion left their jobs less than two months after completing the eight-week training course, Pentagon officials say.
As a step toward handing over security control, it is desired that 40,000 Iraqis enlist in the army to guard borders and secure checkpoints.
The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has pledged to review the complaints.
In the new army a private is currently paid around GBP34 a month while a lieutenant colonel receives GBP150.
Coalition forces want to hand over power on July 1 to an Iraqi government.
A second battalion is currently being trained.
