This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7496294.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iraq warns US on withdrawal date | Iraq warns US on withdrawal date |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Iraq will not accept any security deal with the US which does not include a date for the pullout of foreign troops, a senior Iraqi official has said. | Iraq will not accept any security deal with the US which does not include a date for the pullout of foreign troops, a senior Iraqi official has said. |
| National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie was speaking in Najaf. | National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie was speaking in Najaf. |
| The prospect of setting such a timetable was raised by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Monday. | The prospect of setting such a timetable was raised by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Monday. |
| The US state department said any pullout would be "conditions-based". The UN mandate allowing a US presence in Iraq will expire by the end of 2008. | |
| 'Making progress' | |
| "We will not accept any memorandum of understanding if it does not give a specific date for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops," Mr al-Rubaie told reporters in Iraq's holy city of Najaf. | "We will not accept any memorandum of understanding if it does not give a specific date for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops," Mr al-Rubaie told reporters in Iraq's holy city of Najaf. |
| "Our stance in the negotiations under way with the American side will be strong," he said, but added that it was proving "very difficult" to set a pullout date. | "Our stance in the negotiations under way with the American side will be strong," he said, but added that it was proving "very difficult" to set a pullout date. |
| Mr al-Rubaie was speaking after meeting Iraq's top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. | Mr al-Rubaie was speaking after meeting Iraq's top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. |
| In Washington, US state department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said the US and Iraq were in agreement over the principle of a US withdrawal. | |
| "However, that decision will be conditions-based. We're looking at conditions, not calendars here," Mr Gallegos said. | |
| He said the US was "making progress" and was committed to departing, pointing out as evidence that the US has transferred over half of Iraq's provinces to provisional Iraqi control. | |
| However, Mr Gallegos refused to divulge details of the any progress towards an agreement. | |
| Election issue | Election issue |
| The US and Iraqi governments have been negotiating a detailed bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) since March and it was supposed to be concluded this month. | The US and Iraqi governments have been negotiating a detailed bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) since March and it was supposed to be concluded this month. |
| On Tuesday, a US state department spokesman said Washington would not divulge details of the talks. | On Tuesday, a US state department spokesman said Washington would not divulge details of the talks. |
| Many Iraqis want to see an end to the American military presence in their country, but are fearful of the consequences for security, correspondents say. | Many Iraqis want to see an end to the American military presence in their country, but are fearful of the consequences for security, correspondents say. |
| The US position has always been that setting a timetable for withdrawal gives an advantage to insurgents who have been battling US-led forces since the 2003 invasion which overthrew Saddam Hussein. | The US position has always been that setting a timetable for withdrawal gives an advantage to insurgents who have been battling US-led forces since the 2003 invasion which overthrew Saddam Hussein. |
| A possible withdrawal from Iraq has become a major issue in the US presidential election campaign and could also figure prominently in local elections in Iraq in October. | A possible withdrawal from Iraq has become a major issue in the US presidential election campaign and could also figure prominently in local elections in Iraq in October. |