US envoy against hasty Iraq exit

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The outgoing US ambassador to Iraq has warned that a hasty withdrawal of US troops from the country would create "severe risks".

Ryan Crocker said al-Qaeda remained a threat in Iraq and that an overly rapid departure would have a "chilling effect" on Iraqis.

The US currently has more than 140,000 troops in Iraq.

US President Barack Obama called during his election campaign for a withdrawal of combat troops within 16 months.

Mr Crocker's comments came a day after he and the top US commander in Iraq briefed President Obama by video on the situation there.

Mr Obama asked military officials "to execute a responsible military drawdown from Iraq", the White House said on Wednesday.

'Spirit of compromise'

A deal agreed under George W Bush's presidency and which came into effect this month provides for US combat troops to leave Iraqi cities by the end of June, and for all US troops to leave the country by the end of 2011.

"A precipitous withdrawal runs some very severe risks," Mr Crocker said in his final news conference before leaving his post.

He said al-Qaeda had been weakened, but remained a threat.

"Al-Qaeda is incredibly tenacious. As long as they hang on they are looking for the opportunity to regenerate."

"Perhaps most important, [a hasty US departure] would have a chilling effect on Iraqis," he said.

"I think the spirit of compromise, of accommodation, of focus on institutional development - all of that would run the risk of getting set aside."

Mr Crocker also said it was important that provincial elections scheduled for 31 January were perceived as free and fair.

"They aren't going to be perfect elections. We all know that," he said.

"But it is important that they be credible elections."