Source:
AFPWASHINGTON (AFP) — The White House said Monday that a planned US-Iraq long-term strategic agreement will not include a specific date for a withdrawal of US combat troops.
"What it will not do is have any sort date tied to combat troops, like how many American troops would be in Iraq at X date. That would not be included," spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.
But the pact is expected to include an "aspirational date" for Iraqis to take over security for all of the war-torn country's provinces, she said amid a confused back and forth between Baghdad and Washington on the issue.
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Asked whether US forces would have to leave if Iraq's government asked them to, Perino said US President George W. Bush has already said "we would do that" but underlined "nobody is talking about that."
"We share the goal of trying to bring more of our combat troops home and transitioning our mission into one where they could help the Iraqis and back them up," said Perino. "We are there because the Iraqis want us there."
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