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October 13, 2008 2:17:46 PM CDT

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Timetable Needed to End 'Foreign Presence' in Iraq: PM

Posted Jul 7, 08 12:09 PM CDT in US,  Politics,  World 

(Newser) – Iraq is ready to be rid of US troops, its prime minister said today, and he wants a timetable. “We are looking at the necessity of terminating the foreign presence on Iraqi lands and restoring full sovereignty,” Nouri al-Maliki told Arab diplomats, saying the “memorandum of understanding” being negotiated with the US would include either outright departure or a timetable, Reuters reports.

Maliki also wants a deal to include greater Iraqi control over foreign operations. "This means the phenomena of unilateral detention will be over, as well as unilateral operations," he said. The comments will likely be popular with Iraq’s neighbors, and drew applause from the Sadrist faction. “This is a step in the right direction,” a spokesman said. “We hope Maliki will show seriousness about it.”

Source Reuters

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Nouri al-Maliki, right, is received by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, July 6, 2008.   (AP Photo)
"Today, we are looking at the necessity of terminating the foreign presence on Iraqi lands and restoring full sovereignty," Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki told Arab diplomats today.   (AP Photo)
Nouri al-Maliki gestures as he speaks at a meeting with several Arab ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi today.   (AP Photo)
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Iraq  • Nouri al-Maliki  • Iraq exit strategy  • timetable  • Iraqi government  • treaty  • Status of Forces Agreement


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