Iraq Official Says US troops Could Leave By 2010

BAGHDAD — Iraq's government spokesman is hopeful that U.S. combat forces could be out of the country by 2010.

Ali al-Dabbagh made the comments following a meeting in Baghdad on Monday between Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, who arrived in Iraq earlier in the day.

The timeframe is similar to Obama's proposal to pull back combat troops within 16 months. The Iraqi government has been trying to clarify its position on a possible troop withdrawal since al-Maliki was quoted in a German magazine last week saying he supported Obama's timetable.

The Iraqi government later said the prime minister's remarks were misinterpreted.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

BAGHDAD (AP) _ The U.S. military in Iraq says it has arrested a suspected propaganda expert linked to a militant group that receives training from Iran.

The military says it believes the man is a member of the Hezbollah Brigades, an Iraqi group it describes as "an offshoot of Iranian-trained special groups." That's how the U.S. refers to Shiite fighters defying a cease-fire order from radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

A military statement says the man uploads to the Web images and video of attacks on Iraqi and U.S.-led forces. The information is allegedly used to raise money and other kinds of support from Iranian backers.

The suspect was arrested Monday in Baghdad.

Comments

[berrycooda]

Yeah....right. The troops can leave by 2010 and then watch them yell HELP when the militants have regrouped and start over again if Maliki and their government don't give them what they want.
Why do you think they are killing the Iraqi policeman.....They don't want anybody to go against them.
Maybe Maliki and their gov't will finally get tough and do their own job instead of relying on our Military
who have made the sacrifices so far (in addition to the innocent people and policemen there who have been slaughtered by human bombs...what a pitiful bunch of brainwashed young people who do that.)
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND GOD BLESS THE USA.

[Troubledgoodangel]

There is difficulty with comments. I posted two and they "disappeared." Every day the same thing! What is going on? This is worse than McCarthyism! What is Huffington Post fearing? The truth?

[Garvagh]

Gordon Brown may well pull the remaining British troops out of Iraq within the next year. A substantial reduction in US forces by then will meet with the approval of the Iraqi government. Does John McCain think that government is pursuing "defeat"?

[DaOne]

Give it fiv eminutes until McSame as it ever was claims this is yet another inartful statement from the leader of a sovereign nation.

Make way for another body under the gibberish express!

[MatthewTB]

I can't believe they made a statement about their own country without consulting John McCain. He is the Brain Lord, able to read and divine all true thoughts. He does not agree with their feeble insistence on withdrawal. He is McCain, he knows better.

http://digg.com/political_opinion/Brainlord_McCain_knows_all_Iraqi_thoughts

[MatthewTB]

Puny Iraqis did not consult with brainlord McCain. He knows Iraqi thoughts and knows they don't mean the things they say that are incredibly damaging to his campaign.

http://digg.com/political_opinion/Brainlord_McCain_knows_all_Iraqi_thoughts

[Forsetti]

Isn't 2010 about 16 months away?

[DerAmi]

It started...

[Makesense]

From McCain Camp: We are fu$@ed

[Splainin2Do]

And the "official Iraqi" denial will be issued by the U.S. military command when?

[MaeScott]

Mr Al Maliki just asked when we WOULD be leaving, thank you very much?

[harriscrl3]

Those darn Iraqis are an ungrateful bunch after we invaded their country and created chaos and increase violence they now want us to get out. I wonder if they will part with some oil fields as a token of their thank you.

Carol