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Maliki tells US House speaker that Iraqi forces are ready
Source: Xinhua |
April 17, 2011, Sunday
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PRIME Minister Nuri al-Maliki yesterday told visiting US House of Representative Speaker John Boehner that the Iraqi forces are ready and capable to protect the country, implying a delay of American troops pullout after the 2011 deadline would be unnecessary.
According to a statement released by his office, during the evening meeting Maliki said "the Iraqi armed forces have become capable to bear responsibility to maintain security and to do their job efficiently," adding Iraq wants to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of arming and military training.
Boehner arrived in Baghdad yesterday for his surprising and first visit to Iraq since he was elected last November.
About one week ago, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the United States will consider extending the presence of its troops in Iraq beyond the agreed 2011 final withdrawal deadline on condition of the Iraqi government's request for an extension.
However, Maliki rejected this offer, saying "the Iraqi government is against of any presence of US troops or other foreign troops on the Iraqi territory since they causes internal problems and problems in the region for Iraq."
Later, tens of thousands of Iraqis rallied across the country to demand a full withdrawal of the US forces. Anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr also threatened to resume activities of Mahdi Army militia against the American troops if they stay in the country after the end of 2011.
According to a statement released by his office, during the evening meeting Maliki said "the Iraqi armed forces have become capable to bear responsibility to maintain security and to do their job efficiently," adding Iraq wants to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of arming and military training.
Boehner arrived in Baghdad yesterday for his surprising and first visit to Iraq since he was elected last November.
About one week ago, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the United States will consider extending the presence of its troops in Iraq beyond the agreed 2011 final withdrawal deadline on condition of the Iraqi government's request for an extension.
However, Maliki rejected this offer, saying "the Iraqi government is against of any presence of US troops or other foreign troops on the Iraqi territory since they causes internal problems and problems in the region for Iraq."
Later, tens of thousands of Iraqis rallied across the country to demand a full withdrawal of the US forces. Anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr also threatened to resume activities of Mahdi Army militia against the American troops if they stay in the country after the end of 2011.
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