Iraq: No extension of US pullback date from cities

04/05/2009| IslamWeb

The Iraqi government says the June 30 deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw from urban areas in Iraq is "non-extendable."

A rise in violence has prompted concern about whether Iraqi forces are prepared to take over security responsibilities. In particular, U.S. commanders have pointed to the northern city of Mosul as a possible exception to the withdrawal plans.

But spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Monday that the government is committed to the timeline in the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement, calling the withdraw deadline "non-extendable."

The agreement calls for American forces to pull back from cities by the end of June and from the rest of the country by the end of 2011.

PHOTO CAPTION

US soldiers patrol a street in central Baghdad in April, 2009

AP