Barack Obama insists US troops must leave Iraq

Calcutta News.Net
Monday 1st December, 2008

US president-elect Barack Obama reiterated Monday that all American combat troops would be withdrawn from Iraq in 16 months, even while residual forces could remain longer.

“At the same time, I will listen to my commanders on the ground,” Obama maintained at a press conference in Washington, at which he introduced his national security team.

Obama said the Status of Forces Agreement agreed to between the US and Iraq had made the 16-month timeline possible.

Obama said: “Our number one priority is to ensure our troops remain safe in the transition period.”

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