Iraqi FM says no sudden US pullout
Wed Feb 11, 7:51 am ET
BAGHDAD (AFP) – Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said on Wednesday he had been "reassured" by the United States that there would be no sudden pullout of American troops, despite an improving security situation.
President Barack Obama's desire to redeploy thousands of US soldiers from Iraq to Afghanistan has raised expectations of a troop drawdown ahead of a 2011 deadline for leaving the country.
Zebari, however, insisted that there would be no sudden withdrawal.
"We have been reassured by the new administration that there will not be a major change, or a quick disengagement or quick pullout from Iraq," he told reporters."They are committed to withdraw and withdraw responsibly as the president said many times, depending on considerations on the ground and consultations with the Iraqi government and military commanders."
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090211/wl_mideast_afp/iraqusdiplomacysecurity