Washington says a long-term strategic treaty with Iraq will not include a specific date for a withdrawal of US troops from the country.
[b]The deal which is under negotiation between the US and Iraq is expected to include "an aspirational date" for Iraqis to take over their security, but will not set a deadline for bringing home US forces, spokeswoman Dana Perino said on Monday.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had earlier said that any deal with the country should include a timetable for the pull-out of US troops form Iraq.
Talks are underway between Iraqi and US officials on the treaty which would allow the presence of US troops in Iraq after their mandate under the UN expires in December 2008. The two sides, however, have so far declined to publicize the details of their negotiations.
The treaty has caused uproar among Iraqi religious and political figures who argue that it would infringe Iraq's sovereignty. SB/DA
Source: AJP
[b]The deal which is under negotiation between the US and Iraq is expected to include "an aspirational date" for Iraqis to take over their security, but will not set a deadline for bringing home US forces, spokeswoman Dana Perino said on Monday.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had earlier said that any deal with the country should include a timetable for the pull-out of US troops form Iraq.
Talks are underway between Iraqi and US officials on the treaty which would allow the presence of US troops in Iraq after their mandate under the UN expires in December 2008. The two sides, however, have so far declined to publicize the details of their negotiations.
The treaty has caused uproar among Iraqi religious and political figures who argue that it would infringe Iraq's sovereignty. SB/DA
Source: AJP