Iraqi Leaders Welcome U.S. Troop Withdrawal Plan

[livvy]

Iraqi Leaders Welcome U.S. Troop Withdrawal Plan

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi leaders are applauding President Obama's plan to withdraw most U.S. troops from the country by August 2010.

Iraq's Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi's office released a statement Saturday saying he received a call from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton informing him of Obama's announcement of the withdrawal.

"Mr. al-Hashimi welcomed the American administration's commitment to withdrawing its troops from Iraq according to the agreed-on schedule and stressed that every possible effort should be exerted to increase the readiness of Iraqi security forces and improve their performance," the statement said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Obama called him to tell him about the plan Friday.

The prime minister said Iraqi security forces have proven their ability to provide security across Iraq "which qualifies them to take over full security responsibilities from American forces."

a bit more...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/02/28/iraq.withdrawal.reax/