- BAGHDAD: Iraq’s prime minister says there is no need to change an agreement requiring that American forces leave by the end of 2011 because Iraqi forces are capable of taking care of the country’s security.
Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s comments to reporters on Saturday were some of his strongest to date and come just days after he was tasked with forming the next government.
Under an agreement between Iraq and the US, all American troops are to leave the country by the end of 2011. The US currently has a little less than 50,000 troops in Iraq.
Al-Maliki said the agreement will stay as it is.
American officials have said they will abide by the agreement although they would consider any request by the new Iraqi government to stay longer.