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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Clinton renews support for Iraq | Clinton renews support for Iraq |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the US "will stand with the people of Iraq" during a difficult transition period in the conflict-torn country. | Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the US "will stand with the people of Iraq" during a difficult transition period in the conflict-torn country. |
| She was speaking during her first visit to Iraq as America's top diplomat. | She was speaking during her first visit to Iraq as America's top diplomat. |
| President Barack Obama has committed the US to withdrawing troops from Iraqi cities by the end of June. All combat brigades are to leave by next summer. | President Barack Obama has committed the US to withdrawing troops from Iraqi cities by the end of June. All combat brigades are to leave by next summer. |
| Mrs Clinton's visit comes in the wake of two days of suicide bomb attacks in Iraq which killed at least 155 people. | Mrs Clinton's visit comes in the wake of two days of suicide bomb attacks in Iraq which killed at least 155 people. |
| Violence fell sharply in Iraq in the last year. | Violence fell sharply in Iraq in the last year. |
| But because of the recent attacks, there will be a lot of head-scratching about whether the timetables should be stuck to or whether they should be flexible, the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says. | But because of the recent attacks, there will be a lot of head-scratching about whether the timetables should be stuck to or whether they should be flexible, the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says. |
| The attacks do not yet seem to be a sustained trend, but they seem to be starting to take on a rhythm which is truly alarming for the Iraqi government and for the Americans, our correspondent says. | The attacks do not yet seem to be a sustained trend, but they seem to be starting to take on a rhythm which is truly alarming for the Iraqi government and for the Americans, our correspondent says. |
| 'Clear signal' | 'Clear signal' |
| "We want to see a stable, sovereign, self-reliant Iraq," Mrs Clinton said during a "town-hall" meeting with Iraqis from different civil society and interest groups. | "We want to see a stable, sovereign, self-reliant Iraq," Mrs Clinton said during a "town-hall" meeting with Iraqis from different civil society and interest groups. |
| The BBC's Kim Ghattas, travelling with Mrs Clinton | The BBC's Kim Ghattas, travelling with Mrs Clinton |
| The rare gathering was a stark reminder of the difficulties that lie ahead for Iraqi's as they try to take control of their country. | The rare gathering was a stark reminder of the difficulties that lie ahead for Iraqi's as they try to take control of their country. |
| Most of the questions directed at Mrs Clinton were close to a plea for American help in everything, from education to agriculture and the economy. | Most of the questions directed at Mrs Clinton were close to a plea for American help in everything, from education to agriculture and the economy. |
| One man questioned his government's ability to provide security after US troops left. | One man questioned his government's ability to provide security after US troops left. |
| "The US will stand with the people of Iraq and will look for ways to create a close and important relationship for the future." | "The US will stand with the people of Iraq and will look for ways to create a close and important relationship for the future." |
| Following meetings with Iraqi officials including Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, Mrs Clinton held a press conference with with her Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari. | |
| The secretary of state condemned the upsurge in bomb attacks against Iraqis over recent days. | |
| She also described as "disappointing" a statement from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accusing US troops of involvement in the bombings that had killed Shia pilgrims from Iran. | |
| "It is disappointing for anyone to make such a claim since it is clearly traced to the al-Qaeda remnants and other violent groups who wish to disrupt the progress of Iran, of Iraq," she said. | |
| Before leaving for Baghdad she said would also discuss the recent attacks with US commander in Iraq, Gen Raymond Odierno. | |
| WEEK OF SUICIDE BOMBINGS Friday: Baghdad shrine attack kills 60Thursday: Baquba restaurant attack kills 56, Baghdad street bomber kills 28Wednesday: Bomber kills five in DhuluiyaMonday: Bomber kills three policemen in Baquba In pictures: Baghdad blasts | |
| "I want his evaluation of what these kinds of rejectionist efforts mean and what can be done to prevent them by both the Iraqi government and the US forces," she said. | |
| Mrs Clinton said the recent upsurge in violence was a tragic signal that Iraq was in fact on the right path. | Mrs Clinton said the recent upsurge in violence was a tragic signal that Iraq was in fact on the right path. |
| She said the Iraqi government had made impressive progress but there were people who did not want it to succeed. | She said the Iraqi government had made impressive progress but there were people who did not want it to succeed. |
| On Friday, two female suicide bombers attacked Baghdad's main Shia shrine, killing at least 60 people and injuring 125 others, Iraqi officials said. | On Friday, two female suicide bombers attacked Baghdad's main Shia shrine, killing at least 60 people and injuring 125 others, Iraqi officials said. |
| On Thursday, 84 people were killed in two separate suicide attacks in Baghdad and Baquba. | On Thursday, 84 people were killed in two separate suicide attacks in Baghdad and Baquba. |